ACCOUNTANT Alan Ribchester will be keeping space in his busy diary for a trip to Buckingham Palace this year.

Mr Ribchester, 64, who runs the Ribchesters chartered accountancy firm, will become an MBE for charitable services to community groups and good causes in the Durham City area.

Born and brought up in Durham, he has spent more than 30 years as treasurer and filling other committee posts with Durham Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Durham City Scouts’ Association and the Shakespeare Temperance Trust.

He is also a trustee of the St Cuthbert’s Journey charity, and has been treasurer of Durham Rotary Club for seven years and was its president in 2003-4.

He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International for his community work.

He is also involved with the Friends of Flass Vale, Durham University Union Society and St Mary’s Home charity.

Reflecting on his MBE award, he said: “It is a great honour. It is nice to put something back into a community I have done all right out of.”

Mr Ribchester, a married father of two sons, with one grand-daughter, said that despite his many commitments, he would ensure the palace trip was a priority.