Lawley collects OBE

Lawley: Has worked for the BBC since 1970

Desert Island Discs presenter Sue Lawley has collected her OBE from the Queen - but said she would not take the medal to a desert island.

Ms Lawley, who presented the BBC's television news in the 1970s and 80s, was given the honour at Buckingham Palace, London, on Tuesday.

Lawley: "We all like to be recognised for our work"

"I found it surprisingly moving - and the best thing is my children are incredibly proud," she said.

But when asked whether the medal would go with her to a desert island, she replied: "The memory would serve me well. I would not need the medal.

"I think my luxury on the desert island would have to be a computer bridge game. I find playing bridge very therapeutic - after I've been working at my screen for a few hours, I reward myself with two quick hands."

Lawley, 54, joined the BBC in 1970 and was presenting Nationwide, an early-evening current affairs programme, within two years.

'Incredible'

She went on to front the BBC's Nine O'clock News and the Six O'clock News as well as filling in as presenter on Question Time and Wogan.

"It's incredible but people still think I read the news," she said. "I suppose we all like to be recognised for our work and receiving an OBE is national recognition."

She once appeared on Desert Island Discs - before she began presenting it - and chose as her items an iron and an ironing board along with a mix of classical music and The Beatles' Hey Jude.

She was accompanied by her husband Hugh Williams, son Tom Ashby, 24, and daughter Harriet Ashby, 20, at the Palace ceremony.

Also collecting awards were theatre impresario Bill Kenwright, actor Joss Ackland and champion women's golfer Laura Davies, who were all given CBEs.