Former Rugby Football League match officials director Stuart Cummings received his MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Friday.

Mr Cummings, 53, of Ilkley, who left the sport’s governing body a year ago after 11 years, was given the award for services to rugby league.

He started working as a referee in 1988, before reaching the top level in 1991. He officiated at the 1995 and 2000 World Cup finals and went on to work for the RFL in 2002.

He now runs his own consultancy business working in different sports, including rugby league and weight lifting.