A CLOTHING store owner chatted with Prince Charles about his Middlesbrough hometown and the clothing industry when he was made an MBE at Buckingham Palace.

Steve Cochrane, who received the award in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to the economy and regeneration in Middlesbrough, said he was “floating on air” after attending the palace with partner Alex and their 11-year-old son Ollie.

After opening his first store, Sliced Tomatoes, in Redcar, 36 years ago, has established Psyche across Teesside and throughout the fashion business.

Along with the established Linthorpe Road store, there is Psyche 2 in the Cleveland Centre and a new store in Durham.

He said: “It was a room full of successful high achievers but everyone was nervous beforehand. I certainly was - and I really don’t get nervous.

“But I’m floating on air, to be quite honest. Everybody works hard but the fact that people have acknowledged my hard work is fantastic. To receive the honour for services to Middlesbrough and local economy is particularly special because I will always be passionate about promoting the town."

Among the other honours Psyche has received is GQ magazine’s Best Menswear Shop.