A PROUD Rednal pensioner enjoyed a trip to meet the Queen to mark the 85th anniversary of the war-blind charity of which he is a member.

George Pickard, of Edgewood Road, lost his sight during the Second World War when he was hit by a mortar bomb while serving with the Royal Engineers in Italy.

The 81-year-old lost the sight in his right eye immediately and his left eye has deteriorated since, and he can only see shades of light and dark.

Mr Pickard and others in similar situations are helped by St Dunstan's, a national charity set up after the First wordl Warnm to help the war blind.

To mark its birthday members of the group were invited to Buckingham Palace for tea with the Queen where they tucked into delicacies including quails' eggs.

George took his guide, Joan Beardsmore, with him and even grabbed a chat with the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Alexandra, who particularly wanted to hear about his war adventures.

The Rednal resident had lots to tell and his tales included spending 18 months as a prisoner of war in Africa's Western Desert.

Mr Pickard said: "I have never met the Queen before and it was a real honour.

"She was really at ease and chatted to us all - it was a really enjoyable day."