Never in his wildest dreams - during more than half a century of bringing the news to the people of York - can he have imagined such an honour.

Les Richardson at Buckingham palace this afternoon

But this afternoon, during a glittering ceremony at Buckingham Palace, the former Evening Press vendor's service to the York community won right royal recognition.

Under the sparkling chandeliers of the palace ballroom, and the watchful gaze of the Yeoman of the Guard, Les, 82, was invested by the Prince of Wales, who was standing in for the Queen who had another engagement. Les, who was whisked down to London VIP-style in a stretch limousine by Yorkshire Co-operatives, said beforehand that Prince Charles had once smiled at him while passing his sales pitch in St Helen's Square during a royal walkabout in York.

This afternoon the Prince spoke to Les for almost a minute while the orchestra of the Scots Guards played music at the back of the ballroom. In an excellent day for York two other distinguished citizens also received gongs. Businessman Paul Shepherd was made a CBE, while Barbara Scott was made an OBE for services to the York community.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.