A Shropshire man today told of his “honour” at receiving an MBE from The Queen at Buckingham Palace.

John Quallington, 80, was presented with the accolade at an investiture service yesterday for his services to heritage and to the community in Shropshire.

Mr Quallington, of Cruckmeole, was the founder of the Shropshire Building Preservation Trust and is a long-standing Pontesbury parish councillor and former chairman.

He organises many charity events at his 16th century home and has also been involved with projects involving Shrewsbury’s Abbey in the past.

Mr Quallington today said: “I feel very honoured actually, somewhat surprised because I’ve enjoyed what I’ve been doing which seems to have made the award possible.

“I really enjoy old buildings. I really enjoy the building preservation trust. I really enjoy having people around the house giving them charity dinners and also opening the garden to charities on a fairly regular basis and enjoying the people I meet.”

Mr Quallington said he ran a team of volunteers at Shrewsbury Abbey for a number of years and did a lot things for the building, involving people who were anxious to work but couldn’t find a job.

He said he still returned 25 or so years later and was delighted to see some of the things made for the group there, such as disabled access and displays.

Of his meeting with the Queen he said: “She said ‘I believe you open your garden to the public.’ I said, ‘yes indeed’. I was foolish. I didn’t say ‘will you please come?’”