A woman who fled Nazi Germany as a child was presented with her British Empire Medal (BEM) just before her birthday.

Elfriede Starer, aged 95, lived in Germany for her childhood until her family was deported to Poland.

Now living in Watford, Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss, greeted Mrs Starer on Saturday (July 4) with many of her family members present as she was presented with the BEM.

She overcame a tragic childhood, as she can recall her vivid memories of Hitler coming to power and the discrimination Jewish people faced.

On her eight birthday, her father died while swimming in the sea during their holiday, just a few years before her family were deported to Poland.

She was awarded the BEM last year for her holocaust education work with many local schools, telling them her story of her escape from the Nazis and arriving in the UK on the Kindertransport.

Mrs Stater was presented with the BEM during the visit over the weekend.

The lord lieutenant said: “(She is) a truly inspiring lady, who bravely tells her story to another generation, and this was a day before her 95th birthday, as I told her a similar age to another amazing lady who I have the honour to represent- Her Majesty The Queen.”