A RETIRED RAF engineer has been awarded his MBE at Buckingham Palace.

Warrant Officer (WO) Barry McEvoy, of Middleton St George, was recognised for his work setting up 14th Squadron at RAF Waddington, in Lincolnshire.

The squadron was given its own badge in 2011, recognising its success.

He also played a key role in developing a new airborne intelligence system, designed to support national and Nato operations.

WO McEvoy’s career spanned 37 years in the RAF, and his MBE recognises his longstanding commitment and service to the Air Force, which required long periods of time away from home.

The Queen presented him with his medal at Buckingham Palace last week and he was joined at the special occassion by his wife, Ann, and their two children Craig and Lyndsey.

WO McEvoy, who retired from the RAF last week, described the whole day as ‘a whirlwind’, and said meeting the Queen was ‘a true honour’.

He added: “It was nerve-wracking, everyone had really sweaty hands – we just didn’t want it to go wrong.”

The Queen asked WO McEvoy about his RAF career and he told her that his 37 years' service was not nearly as long as Her Majesty's public service.

WO McEvoy’s said the MBE was the ‘perfect ending’ to his distinguished RAF career.