TWO long-serving members of staff at the Royal Blackburn Hospital will soon find themselves in some truly regal surroundings.

Research specialist Linda Gregson and night porter John Jackson have been nominated to attend the Queen’s garden party at Buckingham Palace tomorrow (Tues).

Between them Linda and John have notched up more than 75 years of NHS experience and are each overjoyed by the honour.

Linda, the hospital’s deputy research and development manager, said: “I feel so grateful to be nominated for the invitation because it was totally unexpected.

“Seeing the palace from the other side of the gates and seeing what other Royals might arrive is all very thrilling.”

John said: “When the invite was delivered, it was marked with the Lord Chamberlain’s stamp which was exciting.

“One thing I’m looking forward to is my wife and I being in the presence of Her Majesty, as it will be something I will never forget.”

The pair will be treated to sandwiches from the royal kitchens, on the palace lawn, as they attend one of three garden parties The Queen, now 91, will host.

John was nominated to represent East Lancashire Hospitals Trust and its 7,500 staff in the capital, by chief executive Kevin McGee.

Meanwhile Linda’s name was put forward by the trust’s research manager, Catherine Gedling, to mark her 35 years of service.

The royal invitation rounds off a remarkable year for John, from Oswaldtwistle.

He was named the trust’s non-clinical worker of the year, at the organisation’s annual STAR awards last year.

He was also shortlisted for a national prize at the Kate Granger Compassionate Care Awards.

Earlier this year he featured in a new book, entitled Healthcare Heroes, which honoured the ‘unsung’ contributors who keep the health service going behind the scenes on a daily basis.

The pair are not the first NHS representatives from East Lancashire to attend a garden party. Community First Responders from Rossendale were invited in 2013.