A VOLUNTEER who was awarded an MBE has backed a call by the Prime Minister for people to identify local heroes for future honours.

Gordon Brown wants people to put forward the names of community champions who dedicate their spare time to helping others.

And Francis Rigby, aged 83, of Westhoughton, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List for his services to Wigan and Leigh Hospice, rallied behind the Premier's call.

Talking about the campaign this week, Mr Brown said: "All of us know someone in our street or someone in our community who spends all their spare time helping others. They are always raising money for charity, running errands for elderly neighbours, coaching kids, or doing something to bring the town together.

"They are the people who inspire us all, make our lives happier or easier, and make our neighbourhoods safer and stronger.

"How many times do we say to each other: That person deserves a medal'. Well I think it is time they got what they deserved."

For the past 15 years, Mr Rigby has volunteered up to 60 hours a week of his time to the hospice. He can often be seen manning the main reception area or doing the "night shift" on the wards - providing companionship for patients.

He has also helped run the Bolton Catholic Handicapped Group for 40 years, organising daytrips for disabled and elderly people.

He said: "I've never stopped to think about what I do as helping people comes naturally to me, but receiving the MBE is obviously a fantastic recognition and came as a great surprise to me.

"My first thought was that there are so many other people out there who deserve this great honour - I would encourage everyone to look around them and think about who they could nominate from their community."

Around 2,000 honours are awarded each year, with around four in five of all the OBEs and MBEs in the recent list going to people who have carried out valuable charitable or voluntary work, either as a career or in their own spare time.

Anyone is allowed to make a nomination.

For more details, log on to: www.honours,gov.uk, call 020 7276 2777, or write to the Ceremonial Secretariat, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ.