HEROINE Irene King spent a night with the stars - and has the snaps to prove it!

Irene was one of 18 ordinary people who were honoured for their extraordinary achievements by Prince Charles, Tony Blair and a whole host of music and film stars at the 2006 Pride of Britain Awards on Monday.

The 49-year-old, from Haslingden, was presented with the award for Outstanding Bravery by Paul O'Grady, in recognition of her life-saving courage when she steered an out-of-control bus to safety.

The mum-of-three, who works at Churchill Gisburn Clinic, Gisburn, was travelling home on the M60 when the driver collapsed last May. She leapt into action to steer it on to the hard shoulder and bring it to a halt, potentially saving the lives of 20 other passengers.

And once in London for the awards ceremony, she armed herself with a disposable camera and went round taking as many photos of A-list celebrities as possible before grabbing their autographs.

She said: " It's not every day you meet Rod Stewart, Jude Law and Sharon Osborne one night and the next morning is spent chatting to Tony and Cherie Blair at Downing Street!" Psychiatric nurse Irene and her fellow award-winners were presented with their gongs on Monday, when the ceremony was filmed at ITV's studios.

"Although the room was full of famous people, they made sure that it was our night, we really were made to feel like stars. All the celebrities I spoke to were lovely, so down to earth," she said.

After a tour of the Prime Minister's residence on Tuesday morning, Irene returned home with husband Christopher.

Christopher, 58, said: "It was smashing, a real experience. All the family are really proud of her, it took a while after it happened for it to sink in quite what she had done in saving so many people. But knowing her, I would expect her to do what she did, she never hesitates to do things to help, she always puts other people first."

Irene, who lives off Clough End Road with Christopher, daughter Amanda, 25, and sons Robert, 22, and 21-year-old Kevin, added: "I just acted on instinct when I drove the bus, I never thought it was heroic, but receiving the award has been an amazing experience, and I've also made new friends in the other winners."