LONG-serving Burnley organist and choirmaster Malcolm Bulcock has become an MBE in the New Year's Honours list.

Mr Bulcock, 55, a retired Blackburn teacher, has been organist at All Saints Church, Habergham, for 36 years.

He received the honour for his services to church music in East Lancashire.

Burnley born, Mr Bulcock's interest in music began when he bought a harmonium for five shillings as a teenager.

Self-taught, he learned to play the organ when he persuaded elders at the old Westgate Congregational Chapel to allow him to repair and play their old pipe organ.

He was chapel organist for two years and in 1960 moved to a former Methodist Chapel in Manchester Road before going on to All Saints.

He retired as a music and science teacher at St Wilfrid's Church of England High School, Blackburn, after 17 years, in 1993.

Before that he had taught music at Burnley's Ivy Bank High for five years.

He enjoys the theatre, reading and is a vintage radio enthusiast.

Of his MBE he says: "I am absolutely staggered. I simply could not believe the news."

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