John collects MBE

John, 72, of The Avenue, Kingston, even had an extended chat with Her Royal Highness.

'She asked me if I still played cricket and I said I do my best,' said John, who keeps wicket for Lewes Priory's third team and is club president.

'I also told her about my coaching with primary youngsters and she said, ''Jolly Good''.

'She also has a pretty firm handshake!'

John started playing cricket at the age of seven and started his career at 14 as one of the ground staff at Surrey County Cricket Club.

He never made it to playing in first-class matches but played a number of first team friendlies as a versatile all-rounder.

He played second team games, handed out programmes and even cleaned The Oval, all for 2 a week.

John worked on the Sussex coaching programme for 20 years and was a coach at Christ's Hospital School in Horsham for 17 years.

He joined Lewes Priory in 1958 and has been playing for them ever since.