SUPER-FIT pensioner Michael Faraday, who has run more than 260 marathons for charity, is all smiles after picking up his MBE.

The 62-year-old retired cabinet maker ran his first marathon for charity in Bolton in 1982 and since then has never looked back.

He has run the London marathon seven times, completed the John O'Groats to Land's End run and taken part in the Cairo, Auckland and New York marathons. It is believed he has covered 25,000 miles.

His dedication to running led to The Queen awarding him an MBE for his Lifetime Achievement in Sport and charity work at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Faraday, of Walkden, attended the ceremony with his wife Nora, aged 60, and his daughter Sarah, aged 27.

He said: "It was an absolutely tremendous day and it was a great honour to be acknowledged by your country and The Queen. I don't think there is anything more special than that.

"The Queen leant forward, handed me my medal, shook my hand, asked about my running and charity work and said 'well done'.

"It is a memory that I will never forget for as long as I live."

Mr Faraday has raised more than £100,000 for charities during the 25 years he has been running professionally.

He said: "I have raised money for every charity I could think of, cancer, stroke, Macmillan nurses you name it, I raised money for it."