A Thetford business stalwart was the special guest at a dinner in Suffolk following his listing in this year's royal honours.

Richard Bridgman, founder and former chairman of Warren Services in Thetford, was made an OBE for services to training and employing young people not in work or education.

Mr Bridgman is a strong advocate of apprenticeships and has worked with West Suffolk College and Thetford Academy to offer training opportunities. He retired as chairman of Warren Services last year and was replaced by his son Will.

A dinner was hosted to celebrate his honour at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds last week, attended by 60 guests including the town's MP Jo Churchill, Julia Nix, East Anglia district manager for the DWP, and Dr Nikos Savvas, principal and chief executive at West Suffolk College.

A four-course meal was prepared by catering apprentices from the college.