country.

Odette Remond, of Southlyn Lane, was presented with the Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Merite -- France's second highest honour -- at a ceremony in New York attended by the French Consul General.

Mrs. Remond, 66, who is originally from Provence but has lived on the Island for nearly 40 years, won the award in recognition of her work with the Alliance Francaise, an organisation set up to promote French language and culture overseas.

Mrs. Remond is a founding member of the Bermudian branch of the group, set up in 1970, and worked tirelessly as its treasurer for 17 years. The organisation raises cash in order to send local schoolchildren on trips to France where they can improve their language skills. It also promotes French culture on the Island.