A BOURNEMOUTH Reverend has received his MBE from Prince William.

The prince conducted the investiture for Revd Christopher Colledge at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, May 8.

The MBE was given for Revd Colledge’s work in the Bournemouth community, including in his role as chairman of Bournemouth in Bloom for the past nine years.

He took the town into winning Gold for Britain in Bloom in both 2016 and 2018, and instigated Community Growth projects, including the deck chair in Durley Chine Road.

Revd Colledge has also been responsible for the installation of planted boats in Westbourne, Alum Chine Roundabout and at the end of the Southbourne Grove.

After the depletion of the council’s park workforce, he started the Friends of Skerryvore six years ago, which cares and maintains where R.L. Stevenson lived.

Revd Colledge is a qualified voluntary watchkeeper at the NCI Coastguard Station, Hengistbury Head.

He raised £5,000 in his president year of the Rotary Club of Westbourne and £5,000 for Macmillan Caring Locally.

Revd Colledge said: “I am humbled beyond what words can express on receiving the honour of an MBE.

"What means so much to me is that this is for my dedication and work for the Bournemouth community over a number of years.”