A NELSON and Colne College tutor was rewarded with a trip to Buckingham Palace for seven years of volunteer work as a Community First Responder.

Richie Watts, who spent 22 years in the Royal Air Force, was part of a team given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the group equivalent of an MBE.

Mr Watts, who lectures in public services at the college, said: “I am very proud to be part of a very busy team who do a lot of very important work in the community on a purely voluntary basis.

“To also be invited down to Buckingham Palace to join in the Queen’s Garden Party was truly an honour.

“The Heart Start initiative we have started in college has also been very rewarding, with a growing number of staff and students now trained to provide these life-saving skills in an emergency.”

Anita Ghidotti, assistant principal at the college, said: “We are delighted that Richie’s significant commitment to his volunteering work has been recognised at the very highest level.”