An Ealing principal conductor who has held his position for more than 40 years has been awarded an MBE.

James Miller Blair, principal conductor and artistic director at Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra, in Gunnersbury Avenue, was given his MBE on Friday (June 10) for services to music.

It come as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours.

The Gunnersbury Avenue resident has held his position since 1971, helping aspiring musicians break through into the industry after they have left colleges of further education.

The highlight of his time at the orchestra, he said, was when he persuaded the Royal Festival Hall to let 600 people play the Mahler Symphony No. 8.

Mr Blair, 65, told getwestlondon: "It was totally unexpected.

"One enjoys doing the job and seeing people succeed in their chosen profession so I am completely taken back."