A CHARITY worker who champions people with disabilities has received an MBE.

David Barker, 36, of Durham, received the award from Sir Paul Nicholson, the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham in a ceremony at County Hall yesterday.

He had been invited to Buckingham Palace to receive the award from the Queen earlier this year but was unable to go because he had to attend a conference.

Mr Barker was awarded the MBE in recognition of his services to the employment of people with disabilities.

He said: "I am honoured and very proud to receive the award.

"It is in recognition, not just of my own efforts, but of the many people in my organisation. It is good to get it while I am still young enough to use it to help in my work."

Mr Barker is director of Disability North, which provides advice, information and support for disabled people, their families and carers. He joined the organisation in 1994 as a project manager after working for Business in the Community and the Red Cross.

He has built up an invaluable network of contacts in the voluntary and commercial sectors and has an excellent track record of assisting employers recruit disabled people.

He said: "I have always worked in the voluntary sector and absolutely love my job."

Family members, including his partner, Joanne, and 11-month-old son, Jonathan, attended the ceremony.