A volunteer who spends most of his time looking after his local park as well as organising events in his home town, has been honoured with the British Citizen Award Medal of Honour.

Jason Walker, from Blackburn, received the award on Wednesday while he was at work, and after receiving seven other volunteer nominations already this year, he said winning this one came as a 'complete shock'.

Mr Walker, who works for Sodexo said: "I was lost for words.

Lancashire Telegraph: Jason Walker was presented with the British Citizen Award - medal of honour for his volunteer work

"The Sodexo Healthcare CEO recommended me to receive The British Citizen Award - Medal of Honour for contribution in the workplace and being an inspiration to other British citizens, and for the community voluntary work I do, and while at work on Wednesday they surprised me with the medal.

"It was another member of staff's leaving do and while we were all saying goodbye, the manager said 'while we are here we have another announcement to make', and they awarded me with the medal.

"It was a complete shock."

Mr Walker was nominated for seven other volunteer awards this year, including a BBC Radio Lancashire Award, and despite not winning, he did receive a highly commended.

He continued: "It's very nice to be recognised for the work I do, but I know there are other people out there who do a lot more than me and make a real difference to the places they live."

Mr Walker has been volunteering for the last 28 years, and he says winning the British Citizen Award doesn't mean he is going to stop volunteering, hoping to continue with his work for another 28 years.

Lancashire Telegraph: Jason Walker was presented with the British Citizen Award medal of honour for his volunteer work

He added: "I don't do this work for the recognition but it is nice when someone notices the effort you put in.

"I just want to keep going and keep doing what I am doing with the Roe Lee Park Group, Secret Santa and The Confessional."

Even though Mr Walker has already received his medal, he will officially be awarded with it at a ceremony at the Palace of Westminster in January, where he'll get afternoon tea and an open top bus ride through London.

He said: "I get to take two people with me as well so I'll be taking my daughter and my mum."

The British Citizens Award are a benchmark against which individuals will be able to measure their standing in the community; the respect with which they are held by others; and benefit from recognition for their endeavours.

All recipients will be featured on The British Citizen Award Roll of Honour.

There are eight individual categories, each having its own specific subject area, but all the BCAs are underpinned by the overarching qualities of transparency, integrity, determination and achievement.