A marine engineering magnate who began his career working in a small North East ship repair yard has been recognised for his achievements with an MBE.
Harry Wilson, 82, from Washington, was awarded his MBE for his long service to the marine engineering industry.
Mr Wilson, who started in the industry in 1957, said he was pleased and proud to be recognised with the award.
He added it had yet to sink in, and was a far cry from his beginnings working as an apprentice in a ship repair yard, before going to sea with the Merchant Navy at the age of 20.
Having established UK Docks in 1992, Mr Wilson has since seen his three sons, who have worked with him for over 30 years, take over the running of the business and said he is extremely proud of them.
Speaking to the Echo on his award, he said: “I’m very, very proud to receive it, and I look around and there’s an awful amount of people who haven’t received one, so somebody must think I’ve done a good job.
"You don’t buy these things in Woolworths.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with my sons, I’m still hoping to go for a lot of years yet with them.
"We’ve got to go further than where we are, this has got to be the start of it.”
"I'd heard whispers a while ago but nothing seemed to happen so I assumed nothing would and it came as a complete surprise when the letter from the Palace dropped through the door," he added,
"I had thought at 82 I might be past my sell-by date but it's a wonderful thing to receive!
"It's a great honour to be given and I look forward to collecting it, although I don't know yet when that will be."
Speaking on his father, UK Docks managing director Jonathan Wilson said: "It's fantastic news for him, for our family and for UK Docks as a company.
"We're obviously immensely proud of him - he's a one-off.
"It was Harry who had this vision of developing ship repair and re-opening yards at a time when so many others were closing and he's been proven right in his decision-making time after time.
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"He's got a great reputation in our industry and he's responsible for what this company has grown into today.
"We've known how special he is all our lives but it's great that it has been officially recognised in this way.
"It's also, I think, a recognition of his charity work over the years because he has strongly supported a number of important causes and in particular has been a long-time supporter of South Shields Sea Cadets."
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