ELECTION pundit Robert (Bob) Worcester, who lives at Allington Castle at Maidstone, has been awarded a knighthood.

The MORI chairman and Kent Messenger non-executive director has been appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

The knighthood, which will be officially awarded later this year, has been given in recognition of the "outstanding services rendered to political, social and economic research and for his contribution to government policy and programmes."

He was first told of the honour in early September when a letter arrived informing him he had been granted a honorary KBE.

But the whole process was delayed after Sir Robert informed the palace that he was now a fully fledged British citizen. He finally received confirmation of the knighthood on January 8.

Sir Robert, who is married with two sons and a grandaughter, has lived in Allington Castle for the past eight years and before that at Tenterden for more than 25 years.

He said: "I am deeply honoured. I have adopted Britain and Britain has adopted me. I have tried to contribute to the county and to my adopted country by the activities I have participated in. I hope I’ve made some kind of difference."

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S KENT MESSENGER