Dame Judi Dench spoke yesterday of her fond childhood memories of York - and promised to return to the city soon.

Evening Press readers who voted in the Millennium Person Awards - Kate Stericker, left, and Pat Swift, right - join assistant editor Bill Hearld and Dame Judi Dench for lunch at the Mansion House

The Oscar-winning actress had just picked up a coveted award as York's Millennium Person of the Present, a prize which she said was the one which had moved her most, despite all her showbiz accolades.

She was honoured at a luncheon at the Mansion House, along with six other local personalities who were shortlisted for the award.

Dame Judi, who remembered playing an angel at The Mount School before she was serious about being an actress, is to have a riverside walk named after her. She suggested it be named "Judi's Jaunt". The actress - and Millennium Person of the Past, Joseph Rowntree - are also to be permanently remembered with plaques in the city's Guildhall.

She said she was always happy to return to York and would be back at Whitsuntide to visit her old school, The Mount. Then she would be back for the Mystery Plays - where her acting career began in earnest.

At yesterday's lunch were two Evening Press readers whose votes had helped Dame Judi win the award. Pat Swift, of Wistow, near Selby, said the actress was living proof to the rest of the world that Yorkshire people did have grace, charm and talent. Kate Stericker, of Naburn, said after chatting to Dame Judi: "She's so nice and down to earth. She is a brilliant actress and really deserves this award."

Two of those on the shortlist for the award had their say. Dr John Shannon, chairman of York Civic Trust, said he never expected to be called on as an understudy to Dame Judi, while actor and panto dame Berwick Kaler said: "I feel such a fraud being among all these worthy people."

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