AN INSPIRATIONAL Gourock woman who survived an aggressive form of cancer at just four months old has been awarded an MBE by the Queen.

Susan Campbell Duncan has fought adversity all her life since being diagnosed with a rare type of cancer in her left cheek as a baby.

Radiotherapy shrunk the tumour and to prevent a reoccurrence, medics removed it surgically by taking away her left cheekbone, half her upper jaw and palate and part of Susan’s tongue.

Years of reconstructive surgery and treatment followed, but despite everything she had been through, Susan did well at school and went on to college before starting work.

The 51-year-old now lives and works in Edinburgh and is a civil servant with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland.

Susan has also been a patron of charity Changing Faces for 20 years and three years ago hit the headlines when she appeared in Channel 4 documentary Beauty and the Beast: The Ugly Face of Prejudice.

Her incredible bravery and determination was last week rewarded when she met Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE after being named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to public administration and to the community.

Stunned Susan told the Tele: “It was very exciting but I was nervous.

“I was delighted but quite surprised when I found out.” Susan visited the Palace along with mum Jean, who still lives in Gourock with husband Norrie, and her sister Lesley, who also lives locally.

But despite everything she has been through, the investiture ceremony was one the most nerve-wracking moments of her life.

Susan said: “I was very nervous and worried in case I tripped on the carpet.

“But I had been practising after speaking to someone I know who had been before.

“The Queen asked if I was enjoying my work and said a few other things. I was terrified.

“But I managed to curtsey and managed not to fall over or trip, so I was relieved. The Queen makes you feel very at ease because she knows you are so nervous.” Susan said she was relieved to finally be able to tell friends and family because she had to keep the honour a secret for more than six months.

She said: “I found out in May but had to keep it quiet. At first I thought someone was winding me up.

“I was really surprised and I didn’t know what to do as I had to keep it to myself until 13 June when they put the list out.

“When I went into work the first thing they said was ‘you kept that quiet!’” It was a family occasion at the Palace and a proud moment for everyone.

Susan’s mum Jean added: “It was a great day.”