Ref. 25732-31A Swindon man who has spent 45 years doing charity work has been rewarded with a trip to Buckingham Palace.

John Holmes, of Windsor Road, Lawn, was shocked to receive a phone call inviting him and his wife Jean to a garden party at the palace next Tuesday.

"We've been told there's no guarantee we will meet the Queen, but other senior royals will be wandering around talking to people as well," said the 70-year-old.

If he is lucky enough to be introduced to the monarch, Mr Holmes, who describes himself as a royalist, will have to think on his feet.

"I haven't thought about what to say," he said. "I'll probably be completely dumbstruck, but maybe I'll go for 'good afternoon ma'am'."

At least Mr Holmes can be confident that he and his wife will be dressed for the occasion the couple spent several weekends looking for a perfect hat and dress for Jean.

Mr Holmes, who runs a specialist music shop in Faringdon Road, is a tireless worker for good causes.

Each year he takes pensioners on a day trip to a music hall in Northampton.

And he regularly plays his electronic organ at old people's homes.

"Sometimes I'm older than the people I'm playing to," he joked.

In October 2001 he performed more than 500 tunes entirely by memory over an eight-hour period.

The Playathon marathon was part of a successful campaign to raise £20,000 for a life support machine at Bristol Children's Hospital.

Mr Holmes has now pledged to donate funds from a Christmas cabaret show, planned for Dec-ember, to the Advertiser-backed Swindon Cancer Appeal. In August 2001 the Advertiser presented him with a Spirit of Swindon Award, which he described as "one of the most humbling experiences of my life."

Mr Holmes said that his charity work came naturally to him. "Helping others is part of life," he said. "I've been very fortunate in my life and I like to share it out sometimes."

In spite of his accolades, the dedicated volunteer has always retained a sense of modesty.

"I'm no hero, just a fundraiser," he said in a letter to the Advertiser.

"Ask anyone who is involved in fundraising and they would answer it's because they enjoy it and it is giving something back to the community.

"It can be hard work and long hours, but it's full of compensation in the satisfaction you get.

"And you meet some remarkable people along the way."