A DANCE teacher whose school is still going strong after 50 years has been royally rewarded for her dedication.

Lynn McKenzie, of Underwood Drive, Ellesmere Port, was a guest at the Queen’s garden party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, May 22.

“It was lovely, it was like a dream just to be there and part of it,” said Lynn, 67.

“The Queen walked straight past us, and Prince Philip. I spoke to Prince Michael of Kent.

“We had afternoon tea and we had the choice of sandwiches and cakes, iced coffee, apple juice.

“It was just a beautiful day and a wonderful experience.”

Lynn has spent more than half a century teaching ballet, tap and more to aspiring dancers of all ages.

She began her career in 1961 at the age of only 16, teaching a class of 10 at St Francis’s Church on Seymour Drive.

Five decades later, Lynn has seen hundreds of pupils come and go – some of whom have gone on to become professional dancers and choreographers.

She was nominated to attend last week’s royal occasion by eldest son Andy Green, manager of the Cheshire Jets basketball team.

Lynn said: “My son nominated me because I had celebrated my 50th year of teaching. He had to get lots of references, but he did it.

“He wouldn’t tell me who’d nominated me, but I knew it was him.”

Lynn was initially reluctant to take up her invitation because she did not want to choose between sons Andy and James to accompany her.

But the two decided between themselves that Andy would be her guest – and James and his wife chose instead to buy Lynn a new handbag for the occasion.

Lynn currently runs classes at Little Sutton Methodist Church.