PINT-SIZED Pleasure Beach favourite Ted Askey turned down a Royal request to receive an MBE at Buckingham Palace - to celebrate near his beloved Blackpool.

The little train driver politely declined the Queen's invitation, despite the offer of Pleasure Beach bosses to pay for the trip to London. Instead, Ted received his medal at a simple ceremony in Preston's County Hall.

He said: "I'm born and bred in Lancashire and that's where I want to enjoy this award. I feel right at home with my family, friends and colleagues around me."

The MBE marks 40 glorious years for Ted at the Pleasure Beach. He worked at the Fun House for one season before moving to the miniature train for a trial period.

He said: "It's strange but, since then, no-one's told me the job's actually mine!"

Ted added: "I can't believe I've won an award for having the time of my life. There are some award-winners who have really suffered and slogged to get recognition."

He has received hundreds of congratulatory letters from tourists all over the UK - from Inverness to Plymouth - sparking off a flood of memories.

The colourful character remembers when a couple got on board the tiny train and asked him to hurry to Preston. Ted replied: "I'll do my best and put my foot down!"

All this is a far cry from Ted's first ambition - to play football like legend Tom Finney for his favourite team Everton.

Son Arran, aged 16, said: "Every child wants a dad like him. He's very funny and always cracking jokes." Twelve-year-old daughter Kessia added: "We're very proud of him."

The Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth, presented the award on Tuesday (April 29).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.