A MAN who has given decades of service running activities for young people in neighbouring Durham villages has received a right royal reward.

Dennis Rowland, 56, was shocked to hear he had been nominated for an MBE in the New Year honours.

His name was put forward for the accolade to mark 43 years' involvement with the Army Cadet detachment at Ushaw Moor, and 30 years helping to run the Revellers juvenile marching display jazz band, in nearby New Brancepeth.

Dennis, of New Brancepeth, travelled with his wife Pauline, daughter Sharon and son Kevin to Buckingham Palace for the recent investiture to receive the MBE.

Dennis said the Queen told him that she understood he had 'a band.'

"I told her I was asked to help to take it on for a month and I've ended up being involved for 30 years.

"In fact I suppose I'll be there until it folds, or I fold. As for the cadets, because I'm over 55 they have to decide every year at my birthday if they want to keep me on."

The answer is likely to be 'yes', as Dennis gives up two nights a week for each activity, as well as much time during the summer months for carnival displays and camp. Thanks to Dennis 37 girls, aged six to 18, are occupied with the band, and 25 teenagers of both sexes, up to the age of 18, are involved with the cadets.

Dennis devotes his spare time to the two youth activities on top of his 'day job,' helping to run the family solid fuel business, Rowland Brothers, in New Brancepeth, with siblings Allan and Brian.