A headteacher honoured by the Queen has been badly injured in a car crash with her husband in America.

Mary Gibson, who was awarded an MBE last year after nearly 30 years as headteacher at Yerbury Primary School in Foxham Road, Upper Holloway, and her architect husband David, chairman of the Islington Society, were on holiday in California at the time.

It is believed the couple were seriously hurt but have since been able to travel back to the UK.

Cllr Richard Watts, Islington Council’s executive member for children and young people, said: “I was very sorry to hear that Mary Gibson and her husband David were injured in a car crash on holiday. Mary is a very highly respected headteacher and David a leading authority on Islington’s architecture.

“We wish them both a speedy recovery. In the meantime the council will work with Yerbury to provide the school with whatever support is necessary.”