A FORMER Rossendale resident has been presented with an MBE by the Queen for his service to local government.

David Valentine, 60, was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for his services to local government and the community in Angus, Scotland, where he has lived since 1971.

The former pupil of St Joseph’s Primary School in Ramsbottom and Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton received the honour at the palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Mr Valentine was born in Summerseat and raised in Edenfield where his father Willy, 85, still lives in Rawsthorne Avenue.

He studied at Dundee University then got married to his wife, Margaret.