Charity boss says it was 'beautiful' day to receive his MBE

‘Surreal’ is the way Eddie Lynch has described his trip to Windsor Castle to be awarded with his MBE.

The 47-year-old, of Imperial Road, is the chief executive of Bromley Mencap and received the MBE in recognition of services to vulnerable and disabled people.

The Windsor husband and father has been at the charity for 12 years and was ‘humbled’ when he found out about the honour.

He said: "It was a great day and the weather was beautiful.

"The award recipients were first taken to the Queen’s Ballroom in the castle to meet each other.

"We then went into the ceremony one-by-one and the Queen spoke to each of us about our careers and gave out the awards. With a live orchestra playing behind the guests, it was all a bit surreal.

"Afterwards we went to the Waterside Inn in Bray and met Sue Barker who had collected her OBE at the same event. We all had a few drinks to end the day."

He attended the prestigious ceremony on Wednesday, April 13.