Last Saturday she received her medal at home in Pulham Market, surrounded by family and friends.

The venue may have been more homely than Buckingham Palace but the formalities were still adhered to, with the attendance of the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Richard Jewson in full regalia.

Mrs Rawlence was awarded her MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June, for tireless service to her local community for more than 50 years.

In addition to being a former chairman of South Norfolk Council and a magistrate, she was also involved in setting up many local organisations, such as a young wives’ support group and a youth club, and was a parish councillor, secretary of the memorial hall committee and a campaigner for the protection of the countryside and for disabled people.

Saturday’s ceremony was attended by Mrs Rawlence’s husband, former village GP Dr Patrick Rawlence, her three daughters and son, grandchildren and a great grandchild.

Her daughter, Biddy Rawlence said: “It was a very special day.

“It was lovely for my mother to get the recognition she deserves for doing so much for other people.”