A DARWEN man has received the Queen's Ambulance Service Medal after 19 years of working in emergency care.

Paul Bassett, 45, who was born in Bull Hill and attended St Edward's RC Primary School, is currently general manager for the Scottish Ambulance Service South East division but previously worked for Darwen St John's Ambulance.

After leaving Darwen Mr Bassett worked in the Royal Army Medical Corps for nine years and for the East of England Ambulance Service for 14 years before crossing the border.

Now, he has been recognised for his achievements and creating a clinical support desk in the East of England which manages 40,000 non emergency calls a year, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of ambulance resources through more appropriate care pathways.

Mr Bassett said he was delighted to receive the award and that he doesn't ever forget about Darwen.

He said: "The medal came as a complete surprise and I'm honoured and humbled to be recognised in this way, especially after coming from such a small town.

"It's of course not just for me but for my team as well who have worked hard to develop services such as the clinical support desk. It helps take pressure off the system and make sure people get the right sort of care.

"It's all happened quite fast. I was told on December 15 but of course couldn't disclose anything at all until the palace broke the news, so that was hard.

"I've travelled about a lot but Darwen is where it all started for me and I'm always going back there to see my family so it's always there. I remember living on Birch Hall Avenue, Olive Lane and Knowsley Road very well."

Mr Bassett, who now lives in Livingston, is the national lead for the SAS on a number of projects including unscheduled care, liaison with Police Scotland and collaborative working.

He also has responsibility for ambulance operations in Edinburgh, Lothian and the Borders and has in recent years led the team in the delivery of the capital's Hogmanay and Military Tattoo.

He will receive his medal at Holyrood Palace later this year and Pauline Howie, chief executive of SAS, is extremely proud of him.

He said: "I am delighted that Paul’s commitment and dedication to patient care through out his ambulance service career has been recognised in this year’s honours.

"He always leads by example and has played a significant role in the development of new initiatives."