FORGET the Iron Lady - it was a Preston teenager's metal digits which ensured he got a handshake from the Queen.

Kingsley Chesworth, of Penwortham, got a date with Her Majesty after being highly commended in an art competition to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the British Leprosy Relief Association (LEPRA).

His sculpture, a hand created from chicken mesh and some forks and spoons, was based on the logo of LEPRA and impressed judges so much, they rewarded him with a date with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

The work of art was part of his art coursework in which he has constructed a whole face made out knives, forks and spoons!

Kingsley, 18, travelled to London on Tuesday afternoon, just minutes after finishing his mock exam.

And, although he was nervous about meeting the Queen, he said: "I hadn't got a clue what I was going to say to her and I'm having a bit of a stressful time at the moment because I've got to sit my mock A-level exams."

But Kingsley says it was an amazing experience.

He added: "It was completely unexpected. I entered the competition because I thought it might look good on my curriculum vitae.

"But I never expected to win and was gob-smacked when I was told I was to meet the Queen."

Kingsley travelled to London with this mum Alison. She said: "When the letter arrived we cruelly said that there could only have been two entries.

"But he has done really well and it was a day we will never forget."

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