THE Christian rock musician Vicky Beeching has received an award from the Archbishop of Canterbury for her “outstanding contribution” to contemporary worship music.

She was one of 35 people from around the world who received awards in a ceremony at Lambeth Palace. The awards recognise outstanding service in different fields, including prayer and the religious life, reconciliation, and evangelism and witness.

In the citation honouring Ms Beeching, Archbishop Welby said that the award recognised her for her Christian songs that “have become staples in churches around the globe”.

In a post on Twitter after the award ceremony, Ms Beeching said: “Never thought, after coming out as gay, that I would receive an award like this. Means so much.”

The present awards, first given last year, consist of three existing Lambeth Awards — the Lambeth Cross, the Canterbury Cross and the Cross of St Augustine — and six new awards named after previous holders of the office of Archbishop.

Others honoured included Abbot Stuart Burns OSB, of Mucknell Abbey; the Labour MP Frank Field, for his commitment to social welfare; and William Fittall, former secretary-general of the Archbishop’s Council and the General Synod.

List in full next week