An animal campaigner said he had “proved people wrong” after being given the royal seal of approval.

Trevor Weeks, the founder of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, was presented with his MBE by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
 

He travelled to London, where his father and stepmother paid for him and his partner Kathy to stay overnight before the trip to the Palace the next day.
 

After the ceremony he said: “I am glad I have proven so many people wrong about where I was going with my life and voluntary work.
 

“I might be poor but I am so much happier as a result. I’m glad I am achieving something with my life. I am disappointed that my mum is not alive to witness this and hope that she would have been proud of me.”