A PENSIONER has spoken of his delight after being given a new MBE - to replace the one stolen by burglars three months ago.As reported first in The Evening Star, Peter Page returned home from two hours at Holbrook Methodist Church in April to find his bungalow had been broken into and his treasured medal taken.

A PENSIONER has spoken of his delight after being given a new MBE - to replace the one stolen by burglars three months ago.

As reported first in The Evening Star, Peter Page returned home from two hours at Holbrook Methodist Church in April to find his bungalow had been broken into and his treasured medal taken.

But, in a special presentation at the Royal Hospital School's annual speech day on Saturday, the 76-year-old was presented with a replacement MBE by vice admiral Adrian Johns.

Mr Page, who lives within the school's Holbrook complex, said: “I knew it was going to be replaced but I didn't know when.

“When I lost the MBE, I had been saying to people that it wouldn't be the same one that Prince Charles pinned on me at Buckingham Palace.

“Now I've written to the headmaster saying I shall appreciate this one equally as much because another senior naval officer presented it to me at the school I earned it at.”

Mr Page became a member of the British Empire in 1995 in recognition of his services to horticulture and Holbrook. He worked as the gardener at the school for 51 years and served the village in various ways, including sitting on the parish council.

Don Topley, spokesman for the school, said: “We're extremely proud of Peter and are pleased to have reunited him with such a prestigious and worthy award.”

Burglars targeted his home between 9.30am and 11.30am on April 9, taking various priceless possessions.

Mr Page's Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) long-service medal and a First World War medal awarded to his grandfather were stolen, as was some of his late wife's jewellery.

Since the raid, his son, Simon, 49, who also lives in Holbrook, has helped organise the replacement of some of the items, including the MBE and the RHS medal.