An avid fundraiser, adventurer, author and primary school deputy headteacher in Shaw has shared the 'magical' moment he met the Queen for his MBE - and how he made the monarch laugh.

When Steve Hill MBE was invited to Buckingham Palace in honour of his services to education and charity in March 2015, he didn't think for a moment that he would meet Her Majesty herself, let alone get a chuckle out of her.

Steve said those in receipt of the award generally don't know who is going to present it to them until the day comes.

He said: "I was told beforehand that if you see the flags flying above the palace, the Queen is in residence and there might be a possibility that she is presenting - but it’s never a guarantee.

“So we're driving down in the taxi, I was excited but obviously very nervous and saw the flag was flying.

"You start to think at that point, it might happen."

The author, who recently published a book about his adventures and charity work that has seen him run marathons in Iceland, climb Mount Kilimanjaro and trek through the Sahara Desert, to list just a few, said he learnt he was about to meet the Queen by accident.

"I overheard a little old lady ask one of the guards who was presenting the award.

"And he just said to her: 'you've got the Queen, ma'am'."

He then said all the recipients were briefed on how to behave before being led into a "big grand room" with a throne, a band playing and "just everything you imagine in Buckingham Palace".

He added: "I was just so nervous - beyond nervous - and I was just trying to remember everything.

"Then we were aligned and walked down the corridor. I could see where all my family was and the music was playing.

"Then I saw her and was thinking, God, that's the Queen, just 10 metres in front of me.

"It was just one of those moments where you're walking and it's just so surreal. You're thinking, 'is this really happening to me?'"

When he was called forward, Steve said Her Majesty pinned his medal on as he soaked up the moment.

"I was looking at her, at the top of her head and thinking, that's the Queen.

"It was just the most magical experience as she just looked at me and smiled."

He said they then shared a good conversation about his charity work.

"I was just saying 'yes, ma'am', 'yes, ma'am'. 

"But my claim to fame is that I then made the Queen laugh."

The moment, which is captured on video, shows Steve telling Her Majesty that he was going to the North Pole to run the North Pole marathon.

Steve added: "You can see in the video she just says, 'really? Why?'

"And I said: 'to be honest with you ma'am, I think I'm a bit bonkers' and I just got the most genuinely, gentle chuckle from her, which was lovely.

"And she said 'well, rather you than me. Good luck with that' and she wished me well.

"It was just the most magical, greatest privilege to have first of all met her but then be able to spend three or four minutes in her company, just me and her.

"I knew at the time it was very special, but what an honour. What an amazing experience that will never be repeated."

Steve, unfortunately, lost his mother in 2012 and said he wishes she had been there but was surrounded by other family members that remember the special day and is grateful for the footage.

He said: "Every time I watch it, it makes me smile.

"It gives me that warm feeling. It was extremely surreal but the most magical day.

"That little bonus of making her laugh was extra special and is something I will never forget and will live with me forever."

The deputy head at St Joseph's RC Primary School said he continues to share the experience with his school pupils as he said it is important to show that "even normal people get to meet the Queen".

On Friday, his school held a special assembly to celebrate her life "that was so well lived".

He added: "You always know where you were when you hear that news and big moments in history.

"It's extremely sad and you realise it's the end of an era - there will never be a person like her again.

"It's a great loss for the nation."