A 69-year-old woman who set up a charity in Newham to help older Asian people has been recognised for her work after being given an OBE.

Founder of the EKTA charity based in Manor Park, Ramesh Verma, from Ilford, received the honour from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

After caring for her parents in their old age, she set up her charity in 1986 to help older Asian people access services.

She said: “They didn’t have anywhere to go because of the language barrier.

“I was honoured but it was a shock because I was just doing my job.”