A former journalist has been presented with the OBE by King Charles III for his work in the region he served.

Michael McEvoy was given the honour at Windsor Castle both for services to North Wales in numerous public and charitable roles.

It is the third time the 88-year-old has met the King, having originally covered his investiture as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.

The new King also presented him with his MBE at Buckingham Palace in 2009.

Michael, pictured, started his career as a junior trainee journalist with the Prestatyn-based North Wales Press Agency, which he later went on to own.

He was also taken on by the BBC to serve as editor of a Saturday night sports programme for North and Mid-Wales, later turning down invitations to join the Sportsnight and Grandstand programmes in order to stay on his home patch.

Away from journalism, Michael has been a founder and senior chairman of the Welsh Government’s NHS complaints panel, senior chairman of the North Wales Valuation Tribunal, vice-chairman of the Welsh Consumer Council, vice-chairman of Rhyl High School governors and chairman of Rhyl Leisure Centre.

He was also a long-time chairman of the planning committee on Rhuddlan Borough Council, representing Rhyl South East ward for 22 years, and was once the youngest chairman of West Flint Conservative Association.

Michael told the Rhyl Journal: “It was a wonderful privilege to be invested by the new King.

“It added to the joy of having the three most important people in my life standing just a feet away during the ceremony to share this unexpected highlight in all my 88 years.

“Only our adored 18-month old grandchild Levi was missing, but he was excused on the grounds of being temporarily under age.”

Michael’s wife Barbara, son Jonathan and daughter Rebecca were also present at the OBE ceremony.