A CHESHIRE veteran could be invited to the next session of Rudheath Parish Council.

82-year-old Eric Sawyer was awarded an MBE by the Queen for services to the RAF association in Northwich in this year's New Year honours list.

And at a meeting of Rudheath Parish Council councillors agreed that they wanted to organise a special presentation to mark the contribution he has made to the area.

Chairman Clr Tony Lawrenson said: "Eric has done so much for charity and he's been a local man in Rudheath all his life with a strong village connection. We're quite proud that he has been given such a high award."

But at the meeting at Rudheath Leisure Centre, councillors could not agree how to conduct the presentation.

Plenty of ideas were put onthe table from simply giving Eric a Cheshire Regiment rose to holding a ceremony with air cadets.

Eric joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1939 and after training as an airframe fitter he served with a number of squadrons in Yorkshire.

For the past 25 years, during the Battle of Britain week, Eric has walked the 25 miles to RAF station Sealand from his home and his completion of the seven-hour walks has seen him raise £48,000 for the branch.