ONE of the Mayor of Durham's bodyguards has found himself the centre of attention for a change, after being awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Norman Donkin, 82, who has been a member of the mayoral body guard since 1963, received the award for his services to the City of Durham.

The Mayor, Councillor George Cowper, visited Mr Donkin at his home in Durham City to congratulate him on the honour.

He said: "This is a wonderful honour for Mr Donkin and I'm delighted for him. He and all the other bodyguards do a wonderful job, and they make you feel proud to be part of this city."

Mr Donkin said of his MBE: "I am absolutely delighted and overwhelmed by this. It feels as if it is for all of the body guard - members past and present - and not just me."

The mayoral bodyguards, with their distinctive black and red uniforms, accompany the mayor on official functions and are the only such group outside London. They have a ceremonial function, dating back to the Middle Ages, when they protected the mayor while he collected taxes.

The bodyguards come from all walks of life and there is currently a waiting list for the 13 positions.

Mr Donkin, who has lived in Durham City all his life, is a former joiner.

He served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in the Second World War in North Africa and Palestine, and was present at the Siege of Tobruk