YEARS of dedicated service to St John Ambulance have led to a Tyldesley man being offered a prestigious position -- by Royal appointment.

Clifford Hodcroft has been made Officer Brother of the Order of St John, an appointment by the Queen in recognition of his hard work.

The 76 years-old Manchester Road resident has long-standing family connections with the St John movement.

His family were involved with St John Ambulance activities on the railways and he began working for the brigade in 1955 at the Tyldesley division -- which was founded by his father-in-law Joseph Blears.

But Mr Hodcroft had to leave the brigade because of his job, needing time to study for professional exams.

In 1981 he re-joined and was appointed treasurer of the Salford Association, becoming the county finance officer for Greater Manchester seven years later.

His wife, Lilian, said: "He was responsible for all the finance for the whole of Greater Manchester which is a very big area."

He held the office until 1993 when he had reached the brigade age limit and retired, joining the St John Fellowship. He became treasurer of the Manchester branch, a position he held until the end of 1999.

Now Mr Hodcroft will go to St John's Gate in Clerkenwell, London to be upgraded from Serving Brother to Officer Brother of the order of St John.

The Hodcrofts are heavily involved with the organisation. Mrs Hodcroft, 74, is a Commander Sister and county representative for the St John Fellowship. She first became involved with St John Ambulance in 1940.

She said: "I started with the cadets and finished as area commander."

The couple's children Iain, Catherine and Fiona have also been involved in the movement.