An air ambulance doctor says he feels humbled and honoured to have received an MBE from the Queen.

Dr Malcolm Russell, collected his medal from Her Majesty at Windsor Castle yesterday.

He has served the charity for seven years, joining as a clinical lead when the Surrey and Sussex helicopter was first launched in 2007.

Last year, he was appointed as the life-saving charity’s medical director, making him responsible for assuring the quality of care provided by its doctors and paramedics.

Prior to joining the charity Dr Russell served in the British Army for 15 years and has been involved in pre-hospital emergency medicine since 1996.

In 2011, he was part of a 50-strong UK International Search and Rescue Team who helped victims of the New Zealand earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Watched by his wife and two children he collected his award inside the Waterloo Chamber and said: “It was been an amazing day and I feel honoured.

“I felt humbled to be amongst some incredible people and very thoughtful of the work our charity does and the many people we strive to help.”