ONE of the Mayor of Durham's bodyguards has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Norman Donkin, 82, has been a member of the mayoral body guard since 1963 and received the award for his services to the City of Durham.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted and overwhelmed by this.

"It feels as if it is for all of the bodyguards - members past and present - and not just me."

The mayoral bodyguards, with their distinctive black and red uniforms, accompany the mayor on official functions and are the only such group outside London.

They have a ceremonial function, dating back to the Middle Ages when they protected the mayor while he carried out his tax-collecting duties.

The bodyguards come from all walks of life and there is currently a waiting list for the 13 positions. The Mayor, Councillor George Cowper, visited Mr Donkin at his home in Durham City to congratulate him.

He said: "This is a wonderful honour for Mr Donkin and I'm delighted for him.

"He and all the other bodyguards do a wonderful job and they make you feel proud to be part of this city."

Mr Donkin, who has lived in Durham City all his life, is a former joiner.

He served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during the Second World War in North Africa and Palestine and was present at the Siege of Tobruk.