A Gorleston vicar who received a British Empire Medal for services to the community during the pandemic has been invited to the coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort.

The Rev Matthew Price, vicar of Mary Magdalene church, was delighted to receive the invitation to the Royal event at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Royal invite sent to the Rev Matthew Price. Picture - Diocese of NorwichThe Royal invite sent to the Rev Matthew Price. Picture - Diocese of Norwich (Image: Diocese of Norwich)

Mr Price said: "I am very excited at the prospect of attending such a historic moment in our nation’s history. 

"When I received the British Empire Medal, I said I was receiving it on behalf of the whole team - from our church and the wider community - and I see this invitation the same way.

"It is wonderful to think that I will be representing our community in Gorleston at Westminster Abbey. 

"I’d also like to think it also honours those who serve our community today. Even the post lady who delivered the invitation was excited. She said ‘I think it’s from the King,’ as she handed it over."

Mr Price was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in October 2020, along with other church people who had especially contributed during the pandemic.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Rev Matthew Price, outside Gorleston's Mary Magdalene church, with his Royal invite. Picture - Diocese of Norwich The Rev Matthew Price, outside Gorleston's Mary Magdalene church, with his Royal invite. Picture - Diocese of Norwich (Image: Diocese of Norwich)

During the pandemic, Mr Price led a team of more than 100 volunteers who delivered food parcels to 1,150 people (including 370 children) between March and July 2020.

The team also delivered cards offering support, via a freephone helpline, to every household in the parish and followed it up with a programme of door-to-door welfare checks as lockdown restrictions began to ease, with the support of the local police and the borough council.

At the time, Mr Price said: "We are simply trying to live out Jesus’ command to love our neighbour, which is at the heart of both the Christian faith and my calling as a parish vicar."