An aspiring doctor from West Norfolk was yesterday presented with a gift from the Queen to mark his academic achievements.

Daniel McGarry, who studied at Springwood High School, received a special prize after gaining top exam results last summer.

The 18-year-old, who has an interview for Glasgow Medical School this week, was given a copy of Black's Medical Dictionary signed by the monarch.

The teenager was joined at Sandringham by his mum Dr Helen McGarry and Springwood High School headteacher Andrew Johnson.

He said: 'I was quite nervous when we were driving up to Sandringham but as soon as we arrived everyone was really friendly which helped calm my nerves.

'We were then shown through to a room where the Queen was and she shook all of our hands before talking to all of us.

'I told her about wanting to be a doctor and we chatted about career prospects. She is a very gracious woman who is very down to earth and has a wonderful sense of humour.

'It was a fantastic honour to have met her and it will be a day I will never forget. I will treasure this signed book forever.'

The King's Lynn resident gained an A* in maths, two As in biology and history and a B in chemistry at A level.

His mum, Dr McGarry said: 'It was wonderful to meet the Queen. She was very relaxed and very interested in Daniel and what he wanted to do with his life.

'I am so proud of him because it has only been through his hard work that he has achieved these grades and be given the chance to meet the Queen.'

Meanwhile a Norfolk schoolboy brought a smile to the Queen's face yesterday morning after presenting her with a jar of home-made plum and date chutney.

Alexander Baldwin made the chutney with his grandmother Marlene Fairhead using the plums in her garden in Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth.

The 11-year-old then decided it would be a perfect present to give to the royal after she left yesterday's service at St Mary Magdalene church on the Sandringham Estate.

He said: 'I was really excited when it was my turn to give her the chutney. She asked me if the jar was for and I said it was and that I hoped she liked it.

'She is the first person I have ever met who is famous so I am really happy.'

The youngster was joined by 12 other children who waited patiently in the cold weather to give flowers and cards to the Queen.

Five-year-old Kate Fairhead also gave the monarch a small packet of Ferrero Rocher and said she hoped the Queen would like them.

The children were amongst around 150 people who braved the chilly temperatures to catch a glimpse of the royal couple heading to church yesterday morning.

The crowd applauded as the Queen, wearing a warm green outfit and hat, arrived by car to the service at around 11am.

The Duke of Edinburgh, donning a long brown coat, appeared shortly after following a walk from Sandringham House with their guests.

The church service was led by the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev Dr Barry Morgan.