A DAD-of-one has spoken of his delight after receiving an MBE at Buckingham Palace.

Majid Hussain received the award from Princess Anne at a special ceremony in London for his services to business and industry.

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Mr Hussain, who is chief executive of Accrol Papers in Blackburn, picked up his MBE in front of his mum Mahroof Begum, his brother Mozam and his sister Kauser as well as his son 14-year-old Jamal.

The 37-year-old from Blackburn Road, Accrington, joined the family firm in 2009 and built the business into the largest wholly-owned British company producing tissue paper and kitchen roll.

The company, which is based at Roman Road Industrial Estate in Davyfield Road, is also the fourth largest tissue converter in the UK.

Ahead of Mr Hussain being given the award, sales had increased to almost £75 million and employee numbers rose by almost 200.

He said: “I was a nervous wreck but it was such a great experience.

“They take you into the palace and they brief you on what is going to happen.

“They repeat that several times because I think some people forget because of the nerves.

“The Princess Royal was very friendly and she had obviously read up about what I had been doing and my work as she raised a few points with me which was nice.

“When I received a letter last year asking if I would accept the MBE I thought that it was a mistake and that it was for somebody else.

“Since then it was sunk in a little bit and it’s such an honour.

“It was really special to have some of my family there to see me get the award as well.

“They were queuing up to be the ones to come with me after I accepted the award because they were so excited.

“The whole day was an excellent experience and I’m glad that everything went off without a hitch.”

Andrew Holt, founder and managing director What More UK Ltd, also received an MBE for services to manufacturing and the community in Burnley.

Established in 1999, the company has grown to become the UK’s largest manufacturer and brand leader of plastic housewares, gardening and storage products, under the brand name WHAM.

It exports to 54 countries and makes more than 600 products.