ARISE Sir Robert - cricket-mad former South Ribble MP Robert Atkins is to be knighted.
The 51-year-old former minister, ousted in May's General Election by new MP David Borrow, has been honoured in departed Prime Minister John Major's resignation list.
Mr Atkins said: "I'm delighted. It's as much as tribute to my family, my constituency association and all those who supported me during my time in Parliament."
As well as being elected MP for Preston North in 1979 and winning three elections in South Ribble after boundary changes Mr Atkins held several Government posts.
He held the Minister for Sport post from 1990 and is a member of many cricket clubs including his home county Lancashire.
Mr Atkins lives in Garstang with his wife Dulcie. They have two grown-up children.
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