A YOUNG woman with a rare life-limiting illness has received her MBE from Prince Charles.

Lucy Watts, 22, was surprised to find out she was on the New Year's Honour List in December for her hard work in educating people about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Miss Watts, of Swans Green Close, Benfleet, has lived with the condition, which affects connective tissues in skin, tendons, ligaments and bones, since she was 14.

She now has to use a wheelchair and fights a daily battle against bouts of chronic pain and fatigue.

Yesterday, she travelled to Buckingham Palace to collect her award.

She said: "It was a lovely day.

"I am still amazed that they think I am worthy of something like this.

"Driving through the gates of Buckingham Palace was amazing - it was a wonderful feeling.

"To receive any award is great, but to receive one at Buckingham Palace makes it even more special.

"It really is a beautiful building."

She was given her award by Prince Charles, who she said was "really, really lovely".

"He asked me about my work and the condition," she added.

"Then he told me to keep up the hard work."

She hopes receiving the MBE will raise the profile of the condition and those living with it.

Lucy has worked tirelessly to be an advocate for other young people with health and disability conditions and to educate others about the needs of children and young people who require constant care.

Her main focus of activity has been children’s palliative care and has recently influenced national policymakers and expert advisors to government.

She has set up a website - Lucy's Light - which she writes blogs for, as well appearing in magazines, speaking in parliament and being ambassadors for a number of charities.

Lucy received a Jack Petchey Award in 2010, and, in a bizarre twist, the founder of the charity, Jack Petchey, became a Knight Bachelor of the British Empire at the same awards ceremony.

"It's a small world," Lucy said.

For more information on her work, visit lucy-watts.co.uk