A woman from Woodford Green will get a first-hand experience of tomorrow’s Royal Wedding after being selected as one of only 10 first aiders to be positioned inside Westminster Abbey.

British Red Cross volunteer Kelly Mann, of Repton Park, was chosen by the charity to offer medical help to anyone who falls ill when Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange their vows. It means she will be rubbing shoulders with royalty, top politicians and celebrities.

She said: “This is such an honour for me and I was totally taken aback when asked if I would like to go. This has come completely out of the blue and it is great feeling to be recognised by the Red Cross.

“I’m really excited because this is something I wouldn’t normally get to attend.”

Ms Mann, 47, joined the charity in October 2007.

She has attended a series of high profile events including last week’s Maundy Thursday presentation, Commonwealth Day in March, this year’s BAFTA awards and three Buckingham Palace garden parties.

Tomorrow she will not only experience the first Royal Wedding of the century but will be in the same building as the Royal family, Prime Minister David Cameron, football legend David Beckham and pop star Sir Elton John.

Ms Mann, a civil servant at Whitehall, does a minimum of 10 hours with the Red Cross each month but said she tends to do more because she enjoys it.

“We are helping people but get something out of it as well particularly when we are on duty at important events,” she said.

“It opens a lot of doors and I’ve met people from all different walks of life which normally I wouldn’t be able to do.”

This morning she took part in wedding rehearsals and will find out where she will stand during the ceremony. A further 100 Red Cross

A further 100 Red Cross volunteers will line the route the wedding procession will take to and from the abbey.

For more information about the Red Cross visit www.redcross.org.uk.