A football coach honoured for training the next generation of players and referees enjoyed tea with the Queen at Buckingham Palace this week.

Jasvir Jassal, of St Joseph's Drive, Southall, was among 8,000 guests at the Queen's garden party on Tuesday (June 10), as the Duke of Edinburgh celebrated his 93rd birthday.

The 48-year-old, who was this year awarded the British Empire Medal for his voluntary work with youth football club Concorde Rangers FC, in Cranford, wasn't able to personally wish Prince Philip a happy birthday.

But he and his wife Baljit did get to meet some inspiring people over tea and cakes in the lavish grounds of Her Majesty's London Lodgings.

"It was a great honour to be invited to Buckingham Palace, as part of the BEM award, for services to charity and community. I met many new people and heard some inspiring stories about their work. The garden party was an amazing experience, one I will cherish for a long time," he said.

In 2012, Mr Jassal was chosen to carry the Olympic flame and named volunteer of the year by British Airways.