A SHOP owner has described having dinner with the Queen as a memory that will stay with him for life as he recalled getting permission from Her Majesty to take chocolates home with him.

Lewis Simmons, from Basildon, was just 16 when he sat alongside the Queen during her visit to mark the town’s 50th anniversary in March 1997.

He had been invited to a special dinner alongside Her Majesty due to his work with Basildon Youth Council.

To his amazement, he was placed on the same table as the Queen and was soon discussing his pet goldfish with her.

The now 39-year-old, who runs Fobbing Farm Shop, said: “It will stay with me for the rest of my life and was such a fantastic day.

“She was amazing, kind and warm. She was everything everyone is saying she was.

“You cannot start eating until she does and when she stops you must do the same, but she was checking everyone else had finished first.

“She was very professional and did her lipstick, and had this fantastic little make-up bag.

“Chocolates came round following the meal and she told me I could take them home.

“She was terrific, and she asked me if I had pets and I told her about a goldfish I think.

“She probably thought that wasn’t a real pet.”

Mr Simmons says he also discussed Basildon’s famous bell tower with the Queen, who had officially opened it during her visit.

He was given an award for his community work during the dinner, but admits it was meeting Her Majesty that made it a memorable evening.

He added: “She was even dressed in orange, the council’s colours.

“She was also quieter than I thought she would be, but still had this amazing presence.

“I was really upset to find out she’d died. It feels like the whole nation’s lost someone who has always been there.

“I am very grateful for the day she came to town and for her service to the country.”