The impressive career of a designer from Rickmansworth has been recognised with an MBE in the New Years Honours list for his services to Architectural Stained Glass.

Alfred Fisher, of The Highland, has created windows for Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey during his 61 years in the trade.

The 78-year-old said: “I was astonished - the award came completely out of the blue and had never entered my wildest dreams.

“It is so nice to be recognised - I just try to do the best I can.”

Despite being told by his colleagues that he wouldn’t last two weeks in the industry aged 17, the talented designer stuck to it and quickly fell in love with the skill.

After studying at Liverpool Art College he trained at Whitefriars Studio where he quickly moved up the ranks.

In 1972 he was finally able to set up his own studio in Hunton Bridge, Chapel Studios and he was later appointed the stained glass consultant for the National Trust and English Heritage.

As his career began to grow and his work became more recognised, Mr Fisher was asked to share his knowledge with aspiring artists across the world, and he travelled to America and India to teach.

He said: “Working in stained glass, making it and conserving it for the future, is a fantastic experience I wouldn’t have missed and it’s good to know that someone feels I have passed this experience on to others and inspired them along the way.”