MEMBERS of Mary Tavy Methodist Church received a special letter of thanks recently — all the way from Buckingham Palace.

The church sent the Queen birthday wishes in a card for her 85th birthday and were pleased to receive a reply from the Queen's Lady-in-Waiting on her behalf.

The Lady-in-Waiting, Jennifer Gordon-Lennox, said in the letter: 'The Queen has asked me to thank the members of Mary Tavy Methodist Church for your card and good wishes on the occasion of her 85th birthday.

'Once again Her Majesty has been deeply touched by the overwhelming number of kind messages she has received, and wants you to know how much she appreciates your thought for her in this special year of royal family celebrations.'