A MALVERN painter has spoken of his delight at being invited to Baroness Thatcher’s funeral – which included a chat with David Cameron.

Michael Noakes, a distinguished portrait painter who used to meet Lady Thatcher on her visits to the county, was among the 2,300 invitees to St Paul’s Cathedral.

Rub-bing shoulders with sho-wbiz stars, world political leaders and the current cabinet, Mr Noakes said the experience was one that he would never forget.

He also got to grab some words with Mr Cameron and showed him a page from our sister newspaper, the Malvern Gazette, from last week which featured an article on his 12ft painting of Baroness Thatcher.

“It was an absolutely terrific experience and the organisation which went into the day was marvellous,” he said.

“I saw so many faces from the political world and the arts. It was a real mix of people who came together.

“I had a chat with the Prime Minister and actually showed him the Malvern Gazette’s piece.

“He looked a bit startled, but peered at it very closely. He was a bit puzzled with what it was all about, but there were a lot of people trying to grab a word with him too.”

Mr Noakes, who first met Lady Thatcher when she was still Prime Minister and got to know both her and husband Denis, also praised the Bishop of London’s eulogy.

He said it struck the right tone by avoiding being too gushing about the former premier and acknowledged that many people disagreed with her politics.

“He wasn’t too over flowing about it and left a chink in his speech, giving real praise for what she had achieved, but admitting not everyone agreed with her.

“He said she will go down in history and my own personal opinion was that she was a great Prime Minister, but it was good for him to keep it balanced in that way.

“I will miss her a great deal. It was an extraordinary day and I think the people who organised it will be relieved that it went so well.”

The nation’s first female prime minister was given full military honours for her ceremonial funeral, which attracted the Queen and Duke of Ebinburgh, 11 serving world prime ministers, showbiz stars such as Kath-erine Jenkins and representatives from 170 countries on Wednesday