ICE-SKATING fan Georgia Artene got an extra-special 11th birthday present yesterday – British citizenship.

The 11-year-old, who was born in Romania, was joined by 39 other people from 18 countries in a special citizenship ceremony, held to celebrate St George’s Day.

Georgia, a pupil at St John’s Primary School, in Wallingford, took part in the ceremony at Oxford Town Hall with her parents Valerica and Daniel.

The family moved to Wallingford in 2000, and Dana said: “I have told my teacher about this – I think it’s a very special day.

“I love going ice-skating at the rink in Oxford and my favourite subjects are art and maths.”

Daniel, 38, works as a glazier while his wife runs Clippers hairdressing salon in Cholsey.

Mrs Artene said: “We came here to find a better life in England and to provide a better education for our daughter.

“Everyone is very friendly in Wallingford and now, when we go back to Romania to see relatives, we feel like we’re coming home when we come back to England.”

Georgia was the 5,000th person to be given British citizenship in Oxfordshire since the ceremonies began five years ago.

County council leader Keith Mitchell suggested holding the ceremony on St George’s Day, after complaining last year that not enough was being done to celebrate England’s patron saint.

He said: “These events mean a huge amount to everybody involved.”

Jacquie Bugeja, the head of the council’s registration service, said: “Every new citizen is required to attend one of these ceremonies and it’s the final stage in the process. Many of the people applying for citizenship have not been able to enjoy the freedoms we take for granted in this country.

“I was at the first ceremony five years ago and it’s great to see how they have developed, with lots of schools taking part.”

Before the citizens swore allegiance to The Queen, a brass band played Jerusalem and the choir of St Nicolas Primary School, in Abingdon, sang the folk songs Early One Morning and Great Tom is Cast.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk