Baroness Floella Benjamin says she 'adores' Charles as she collects damehood

Baroness Floella Benjamin spoke of overwhelming joy and her admiration for the Prince of Wales as she collected her damehood at Buckingham Palace.

Known to millions as the host of Play School and Play Away, the children's TV presenter was recognised for her services to charity in the New Year Honours List.

The Lib Dem life peer has dedicated over 40 years to campaigning for young people and supports charities including Barnardo's, Sickle Cell Society and Beating Bowel Cancer.

A huge admirer of Charles, Baroness Benjamin said she was "thrilled" to receive her damehood from him on Thursday.

"I adore the Prince of Wales because he is a man of vision and over the years, I've always written to him when it comes to the environment."

"He is just so with it.

"He has had to take a lot of criticism over the years but has been proved right, and all the people that criticised him have come around to his way of thinking.

"I was thrilled to have got it from him this morning because I'm a huge admirer of him, and all the things he is promoting."