WINNING the Free Press Pride of Bridlington Award led to an invitation to Buckingham Palace.
PCSA Andrea Humphrey swapped her police uniform for a hat and a posh frock to attend and travelled to London on Tuesday to join others at a Queen's garden party.
Andrea, 41, has been a PCSO in Bridlington for just over four years and received he
r invitation from Her Majesty in recognition of her work with the community in her patch of West Hill and the town's South Side.
It all came about after a senior Humberside Police officer spotted Andrea's "Pride of Brid" winners certificate during a visit to Bridlington police station.
"I think they mentioned it to the chief constable who I understand nominated me for a Queen's garden party invitation," said Andrea, 41, who had been a runner up in the 2008 competition the year before.
Her trip is being funded by the police force and she and her partner Hadrian, 41, who have three children, set off early on Tuesday for what she described as "a once in a lifetime experience".
The couple travelled down by train and were due at the Palace at 3pm.
"The Queen will be there about 3.45pm, I don't think we will meet her but I am hoping we will be able to get quite close to her," said Andrea.
After tea in the refreshment tent the pair have booked a hotel for the night and managed to get hold of tickets for smash-hit show "Mamma Mia".
They were expected back home in Bridlington yesterday .
