NORTH-EAST Paralympic hero Josef Craig, 16, received his MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace today.

The 16-year-old, winner of the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award, was the jount winner of The Northern Echo's Local Heroes Awards, alongside Olympic rower Kat Copeland, last year..

He was presented with the honour after becoming Britain's youngest Paralympic gold medallist during London 2012, winning the 400 metres freestyle when aged just 15.

The teenager, who appeared very composed after meeting the Queen, said about his Olympic win: "I can remember an overwhelming sense of achievement, relief and joy, and surprise. That was a massive shock to us to see what I had done."

The Paralympian from Jarrow, South Tyneside, added: "Getting the Young Sports Personality of the Year award and now the MBE, I can't think of a better way to have ended the year.

"In the 400 (metres freestyle) I'm the fastest in the world now and the man to beat.

"Many would ask us, does that put us off, does that put increased pressure on us?

"Yes, thats put increased pressure on us but I enjoy the pressure, I live off it, it's what makes us an athlete."

Triathlete Alistair Brownlee, 24, who won gold at London 2012, was awarded an MBE.

He said: "It was fantastic, but it's time to set the next goal. That's what being an athlete's all about - setting yourself the next goal and achieving that."