A POPULAR policeman from Blagdon travelled to Buckingham Palace to receive an honour from her majesty.

A POPULAR policeman from Blagdon travelled to Buckingham Palace to receive an honour from her majesty.

PC Ray Bradley, who has been in the police for 15 years, was awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service.

The 43-year-old was accompanied by his wife Sandra, aged 40, his 17-year-old son Calum and his parents Ron and Audrey on his trip to London on November 28.

The neighbourhood beat manager for Blagdon, Butcombe, Burrington, Langford and Churchill said: "I think this medal is only given out to about four people per year and I think it is also rare for a PC to get it, which makes it even more of an honour.

"I think the award was given for the culmination of the work I have carried out over the years.

"When I first joined the force, there would be on average about 40 incidents every month in Blagdon, I have managed to get this down to around three or four."

PC Bradley's award was revealed in the Queen's birthday honour's list in June this year.

He added: "When I found out I was absolutely bowled over. It was made even more poignant by the fact I had been nominated for the award by my colleagues.