THE “driving force” at a groundbreaking safety centre has received a royal honour.

Manager Alison Shelton has welcomed nearly 200,000 children through the doors of LV=Streetwise since it opened 14 years ago.

After being named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in the summer Alison jumped at the offer from Dorset’s Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Valerie Pitt-Rivers, of being presented with her British Empire Medal at the charity in West Howe.

She modestly received plaudits as she received her honour at LV=Streetwise’s annual VIP event, in front of sponsors and councillors.

Mrs Pitt-Rivers praised Alison’s devotion to the centre, which teaches youngsters how to prevent accidents with a life-size road, house, train station and other set-ups built inside the building in the Elliott Road.

The lord lieutenant said Alison has been “the driving force” behind LV=Streetwise, and had been working with children, vulnerable adults and the emergency services on preventing accidents.

“She has invested an exceptional amount of personal time and commitment to motivate her team, including volunteers of all ages,” she said.

An emotional Alison said the medal recognised the achievements of the team.

She told the 100-strong gathering that LV=Streetwise is about “all of you” and said “it’s our medal”.

“I’m speechless still and feel so unworthy and I know all of you do so many things,” she said.

“Hopefully it all comes together and we do something really special here.”

Alison then announced awards for ten years of volunteering by her team members Andrew Jones, Chris Channell and Ian Duncan. Children from Pokesdown Primary School got everyone involved in their sing-along in praising the charity.