HELPING thousands of wayward youngsters to get back on the straight and narrow has earned a Blackpool bobby the ultimate reward - an MBE.

PC Bob Harvey has been named in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for 26 years' service at the Blackpool attendance centre.

And the 49-year-old is "thrilled and delighted" about the honour which he feels is the perfect accolade to take him into retirement next year.

He said: "I do not know who recommended me, but I am very proud. It was a shock at first because I thought the medals were only given to high ranking officers."

Bob, who first joined the police force 29 years ago, is currently deputy officer in charge of the attendance centre based in Newcastle Avenue and linked to the Home Office.

Each Saturday he gives up his spare time to spend the afternoon with young offenders in such activities as physical training and helping the disabled.

He said: "It is nice to see the kids other than in a police role. We view it that if the lads have gone off the rails and we can get them back on the right track, they will grow up to be law-abiding citizens.

"Some of the youngsters that have come here in the past 26 years now have families of their own and have thanked me for helping them out, which is very rewarding."

Bob has also served as community beat officer for Grange Park during the past 14 years.

He said: "It is quite a hard area because of high unemployment and the high population of youngsters, but they come to me with their problems and I am part of their community.

"It is especially gratifying because the police do tend to get a lot of bad publicity in this day and age."

Bob is now waiting to hear when he will travel to London to receive his medal, something wife Jennifer, their son and daughter are looking forward to with pride.

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