TOM Finney was not the only football star to be hailed a hero in the New Year honours list.

Leyland referee Eric Hart has been awarded an MBE for his 'commitment to the Lancashire community and concern for his fellow employees' welfare'.

Eric, of Cumberland Avenue, kept quiet for weeks about his letter from the Queen in November.

The 57-year-old grandfather-of-two, who is a welfare officer at BNFL in Risley, was totally shocked when he received the royal message. He said: "I was as surprised as anybody. It came totally out of the blue. I couldn't believe it."

However, Eric had to sign the document stating he would keep the news a secret until it was officially announced.

Eric used to play amateur football at a high level and is now a locally well-known referee and linesman. He said: "I often refereed Vauxhall Conference games and I have run the line in the football league."

His daughter Alison Hardwick is delighted. She said: "Dad is very flattered but has tried to play it down. All the family are very proud of him."

And Eric is still not sure who nominated him, though he suspects it was his work colleagues. He started working for BNFL at Springfields in 1966 then moved to Risley, Warrington to take up the welfare officer's job in 1978.

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