A DEDICATED volunteer who has devoted decades to tireless community service has spoken of his pride at collecting his MBE.

Stuart Thompson was presented with the honour in a ceremony by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

His accolade - for services to the community and charity - was announced in the Queen’s birthday honours list earlier this year.

And the long-serving DM Longtown manager, who is in his 41st year of working at the depot, says the occasion has spurred him to continue in the work that he has done.

Mr Thompson, of Gretna, has been involved in Annan Riding of the Marches for more than 40 years, having been cornet in 1977. He is currently convenor of its organising committee. He has also been a prolific fundraiser for Cancer Research in the region.

Of his experience at the palace, the 60-year-old said: “It was fantastic - quite surreal, really. I didn’t know what to expect.

“There were quite a cross section of recipients. Talking to them was really interesting. Hugh Laurie was among them.

“The whole occasion was an honour and a privilege.”

Mr Thompson was accompanied by his wife, Patricia, and friends Alan and Wendy Lamont, of Kirkpatrick Fleming.

While recognised individually, Mr Thompson, who also runs an entertainments company and is well known as being the man behind Scotland’s first santa school, believes the honour is recognition of wider efforts.

“The reason I was there was because of the massive team effort that is Annan Riding of the Marches and Cancer Research,” he said.

“It’s been such an interesting journey over 40-plus years. I have met, and been supported by, such amazing people. What I’ve done has been down to tremendous support from family, friends and colleagues.”

Mr and Mrs Thompson also enjoyed tea on the terrace at the Houses of Parliament with Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary.

On how the experience made him feel, Mr Thompson added: “It makes me feel I have to maintain the standard of work I’ve done previously. It’s inspired me to do even more.”

Mr Thompson has been credited with raising the profile of march and common-ridings across southern Scotland with key players in politics and the wider community.

Among the projects he is working on currently is organising a Scottish Parliament reception marking the contribution of common ridings, to be held next year.