FORMER East Lancashire health boss Ian Woolley has been invested with his MBE by Prince Charles.

The 86-year-old, from Billinge in Blackburn, was honoured for services to the community in Blackburn with Darwen.

The ceremony ­— held last week at Buckingham Palace ­— was watched by his wife Joyce, their elder daughter Bridget and son Stephen.

Mr Woolley was the chairman of Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Authority and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust for 19 years until March 2003.

He is the current chair of Age UK Blackburn with Darwen, a former magistrate, chair of Westholme School governors and chairman of Blackburn Civic Society.

Mr Woolley said: “I am absolutely delighted and feel extremely honoured.”