A Cheam musician said it was a "huge surprise" to be awarded the British Empire Medal as part of this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Judith Burton's career in music spans for than 50 years.

She has worked both nationally and internationally as a professional performer and teacher of classical piano. She has given concerts, masterclasses and lectures in many parts of Europe and the Far East in addition to being on the staff at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music for many years.

"I was thrilled to learn that recognition was being acknowledged for services to music, particularly given the cutbacks to the arts in general in the current educational climate," Judith said.

She was presented with the medal by Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE at an investiture held at the Tower of London.

"It was really exciting to be there as one of 37 recipients who came from amongst the 32 London boroughs and whose accomplishments represented many different walks of life," Judith added.

"It was a very special moment and I shall certainly look forward to wearing the medal with great pride as he requested."

In 1982 she received a national award as Private Music Teacher of the Year. It is however for her voluntary services to music in Sutton that the BEM was awarded.

For more than 45 years she has helped run the Sutton Music Festival, initially as a committee member and but for over 20 years as chairman and organiser, something which was marked by the award of a Sutton Borough Olympiad Cultural Award in 2013.

Along with her many students, Judith has also been putting on summer concerts for 50 years and in doing so raised over £40,000 for charities including St Raphael’s Hospice, the Royal Marsden Hospital and Save the Children.