BLACKBURN man Brian Holliday found himself being personally congratulated for the quality of his firm's furniture by Prince Charles when he collected his MBE award.

The Prince was presenting Brian, from Brecon Road, Blackburn, with his MBE, which he won for services to the disabled, when he praised the furniture by Brain's employers, Remploy.

Brian said: "He talked about the chairs which were made by Remploy for his investiture in 1969. They had 4,600 chairs made for the occasion and he said he remembered that Remploy made really good furniture."

He added: "I didn't expect to get such a long chat with him. He sent his regards to everyone at Remploy." Brian, his wife Sandra, and their 16-year-old son Gareth made the trip to London for the ceremony.

He had received the award for services to disabled people including being a GMB shop steward for seven years.