Husband and wife John and Christine Wright have each devoted 40 years to the Christian youth organisation in Sheffield - John as captain of two city companies, and Christine as a national training officer.

The pair, of Bents Road, Bents Green, were put forward for the MBE by one of their boys' parents, Bart Wagner, who accompanied them to Buckingham Palace where they received their awards from Prince Charles.

John, aged 67, said: "They made quite a fuss of us because we were a double act!

"Although you each receive a separate award, we went up to receive it together which I think is quite special – to get a couple receiving the same award, on the same day, for the same thing, is quite unusual."

John and Christine, 65, both started out as officers with the 78th Company, based at Brunswick Trinity Church in Highfield, where John later became captain.

In 1988 they moved to the 8th Company at Banner Cross Methodist Church, where he also served as captain until his retirement last year.

He continues to work as treasurer while Christine is a national training officer working to train new officers and lend help and advice where it is needed.

The couple also took with them to the palace two of their daughters, Julie Ballin and Rachel Beedle – who are also involved with the brigade – along with Rachel's children Thomas, 11, and Amy, nine.

A work accident a few days before meant their third daughter Helen Hibbert, who took over the captaincy from her father, could not make it.

Philip Hall, the senior boy at the current company, also attended, representing brigade members past and present.

John, a retired chartered quantity surveyor, and Christine, who lectures on deaf awareness, are also involved with the Sheffield Club for the Hard of Hearing.

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