SUFFOLK cycling star Victoria Pendleton has spoken of her delight after she collected an MBE from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

SUFFOLK cycling star Victoria Pendleton has spoken of her delight after she collected an MBE from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

The Beijing sprint cycle champion, dubbed “Queen Victoria” by cycle fans for her dominance on the track, collected her award yesterday after another stunning year on the bike.

In stark contrast to her last public appearance - when she was the skimpily-clad swimsuit cover girl for a lads' mag -the 28-year-old was sporting a chic blue dress that she and her mother Pauline made together.

Pendleton, a former member of Mildenhall Cycling Club, said: “Mum and me made this from a piece of material that I got from the market for �2.

“It is such a huge honour to be here. I feel a bit emotional.”

In March, Pendleton won her third consecutive world sprint title in a dramatic close finish, becoming the only Olympic champion from Beijing to defend her world crown.

She said: “After the Olympics, I was training for the Worlds. I did not have the time to think about that kind of thing and what I have achieved. Now I am here, I think I am very lucky.

“I was looking at it (the MBE) and thinking: wow! Not many people my age get to go to Buckingham Palace and have such success and such good things happen to them. I have to make the most of it while I can. I want to enjoy it.”