Jane Lemon MBE (standing) and the Sarum Group of Embroiderers.AN EMBROIDERER, a singer, a council officer, a charity director and a doctor are among those in south Wiltshire and west Hampshire to have been awarded some of the country's highest accolades in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Embroidery has always been the main thread running through Jane Lemon's life and now the talented stitcher has been awarded an MBE for services to ecclesiastical embroidery.

Mrs Lemon is a founder member and chairman of the Sarum Group of embroiderers, who recently celebrated their 25th anniversary.

From behind her cottage in Steeple Langford, she and five other women hand stitch beautiful altar frontals, which take about 18 months to complete.

Her designs can be seen in the cathedrals of St Albans, Exeter, Salisbury and Wells, Bath and Sherborne abbeys, and many churches around the country as well as two venues in America.

"Really, the MBE is for all the group who work with me," said Mrs Lemon.

"I feel very strongly that it's a shared recognition of what they've done over the years."

Mrs Lemon began her career as a costume designer. After a spell as the wardrobe manager's personal assistant, she became wardrobe mistress for the Sadler's Wells World Theatre Ballet Company.

"Then I went to the BBC as a costume designer and I worked there for eight years," said Mrs Lemon. That was great fun - it was always very exciting."

Today, Mrs Lemon is also a member of the Mid-Wessex branch of the Embroiderers' Guild and has written two books.