For Linda Brunton and Sheila MacIntyre have both been selected to attend the British Red Cross garden party at Buckingham Place on Wednesday.

The ladies have worked at the Red Cross shop in High Street since it was extensively refurbished five years ago. The outlet, which sells a wide range of clothes, books, DVDs and bric-a-brac, operates on a rota of 10 volunteers under the management of Leigh Thomson.

The lucky pair are among only 100 volunteers from across the UK to be invited to the prestigious event, which will be hosted by the Prince of Wales, who is president of the British Red Cross, and the Duchess of Cornwall. Also there will be Princess Alexandria, the charity's deputy president.

The garden party is being held to mark 100 years since Red Cross received its first royal charter.

"All the volunteers were entered into a ballot and it was basically a lottery to decide who would go," explained Linda of Clifton Road who will be accompanied at the palace by her husband Alan.

"To have two of us chosen from the same shop is fantastic."

Widow Sheila, from Ladyschaw Drive, told us: "It's a real thrill for me, especially as I've always thought highly of Prince Charles. He is, after all, president of a charity which does such a wonderful job across the world and which I've been proud to be associated with here in my native town."

A former nurse at Selkirk Cottage Hospital, Sheila's last brush with the royals was in 1988 when The Queen opened the Borders General Hospital.

"That was a great day and now I've got another one to look forward to."

Although Linda has selected her outfit for the occasion, Sheila has yet to make her choice. But both ladies were happy to pose for The Wee Paper trying on posh hats from the quality stock available at the Selkirk shop.

"I'm really pleased for Linda and Sheila who are real stalwarts of the shop," said Leigh. "They are really excited and we all hope they have a great day out."