A York paramedic who was the city’s first ambulance man on a bicycle has been presented with a royal award for his dedication and long service.

Mark Inman, York’s former “pedalling paramedic” who introduced the Life-Cycle bicycle in May 2001 to respond to emergencies in the congested city centre, received the Queen’s medal for long service and good conduct.

Mark, who has notched up 24 years service, was one of 61 members of staff from Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) NHS Trust who were celebrated at a long-service and retirement awards ceremony.

Between them, the group have clocked up more than 1,250 years of service for YAS.

Mark, 47, started his career in 1987 as an outpatient driver for two years until he became a paramedic. After working his way up the ranks he recently became the A&E operational manager for the York and Selby area.

He said he had many highlights over his career, including introducing the Life-Cycle bicycle, which helped him be first on the scene at a number of life-threatening accidents, helping deliver a number of babies and meeting his wife Naomi – a midwife – in the back of an ambulance.

He said: “I think at a time of financial cutbacks it is great that commitment and loyalty is still recognised and celebrated.

“I am very proud and I have thoroughly enjoyed my career so far and I just hope to still be doing it in another 20 years.”

The long-service and retirement awards ceremony highlighted the work of the dedicated and caring staff from across the region, many of whom have spent much of their working lives in the ambulance service.

The accolades include the Queen’s long-service and good-conduct medal for 20 years exemplary frontline emergency service, the YAS 20-year long service award for non-frontline duties and an award in recognition of 30 years service.

The ceremony took place at the Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane ground, where the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, David Moody, presented the awards and paid tribute to the dedication of the staff.

Simon Worthington, deputy chief executive of the YAS NHS Trust, said: “These awards recognise outstanding commitment to duty and I would like to congratulate and thank each recipient for their valuable years of service.”