THE man who manages the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside’s office last night spoke of his pride at being recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Allan Williams, 62, has been the Clerk of the Lieutenancy in Merseyside for 20 years. He was selected by the Queen to be made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO).

Honours were also given to Liverpool’s coroner, André Rebello, who was made an OBE, and the chair of the Royal Hospital Judith Greensmith was awarded the CBE.

Mr Allan, who helps organise royal visits to Merseyside and supports the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead, said: “It’s fantastic. You do the job because that’s what you’re paid for and you’re very fortunate to do it.

“This is the icing on the cake. It’s a special privilege to be recognised.The Royal Victorian Order is a gift of the Queen personally.”

Father-of-three Mr Williams, who lives in Wallasey, joined the Lord Lieutenant’s office in 1990 after working for Merseyside County Council as a librarian in the planning department.

The honours list also included Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, the current president of the Royal College of Physicians, who was awarded a knighthood.