A LONG-SERVING MP has thanked his constituents for their support after collecting his knighthood.

Sir David Crausby was knighted by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace yesterday, in recognition of his parliamentary and political services.

The 70-year-old, who has represented Bolton North East since 1997, said: “Without the people of Bolton, I would not be here. They have continued to elect me time after time, so everything I have achieved would not have been possible without my constituents.

“That is why I feel very much that I share this honour with them.”

Sir David is celebrating in London this weekend with his family.

He added: “The family have come down to London with me — my wife, my two sons and their wives, and my five grand-children — and they have enjoyed the day very much.

“We had a celebratory meal in the House of Commons in the afternoon and over the weekend we are going to take all the children to see Aladdin at the theatre.”