BRITAIN’S top gymnast Beth Tweddle collected her MBE at Buckingham Palace on Friday.

The 25-year-old from Cheshire attended the investiture ceremony and was presented with her award by the Prince of Wales, who wished her well at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Beth said afterwards: “It’s been totally surreal to get an MBE. I didn’t really believe it at first, I waited for the letter telling me I was coming to the palace before I did.

“I train to win gymnastic medals, but away from gymnastics the MBE is a massive honour.”

Beth’s first major title was the uneven bars at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, followed by a European gold in 2006.