A WESTHOUGHTON comedian received his MBE from the Queen after spending years putting smiles on the faces of hundreds of people.

Tommy Newton has been in entertainment for 40 years and was given the prestigious award for helping to raise cash for charities.

The 65-year-old, who lives on Park Road, went down to Buckingham Palace with his wife Margaret.

He said: "It was a marvellous day. The proudest day of my life.

"It was a bolt out of the blue finding out I was to be awarded the MBE."

Tommy began his career in entertainment as a singer, but later became well-known as a comedian.

The official reason for being awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours List was for his services to the community across Greater Manchester.

He spent 30 years of his working life at British Aerospace at Lostock.