THE owner of a Buckhurst Hill carpet store was among the honoured guests at the Queen's Garden Party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Paul Lumley, 60, who runs Lumleys, in Queens Road, was invited to the grand event for his work with the Waltham Forest Pipe Band who perform at many charitable functions.

He attended the garden party with his wife Christine and was very impressed with the royal hospitality.

He said: “It was unbelievable and a great honour to be invited to the palace. There were all sorts of people there from diplomats, to soldiers, sailors and mayors. Everyone from every walk of life and everyone was treated the same.

“There was a nice atmosphere, the food was good and it was nice to look around the grounds.”

The big talking point at this year's garden party came when the leader of the British National Party Nick Griffin was refused entry.

Mr Lumley said: “We weren't bothered if he went. It was a Catch-22 situation because if he went he'd have got publicity and if he didn't he got publicity. I think he got more publicity from not going.”