A FORMER top fire officer from Bolton has been invested as a member of the Order of St John.

George Almond - a former county fire officer and chief executive of Greater Manchester Fire Service - was given the St John Ambulance highest honour at a ceremony in the historic Grand Priory, Clerkenwell, London.

He is former commander of St John in Greater Manchester, and is responsible for all the volunteers who work at sporting events and pop and rock concerts.

He said: "I am honoured and delighted to receive this award and I am sure it reflects well on all the St John Ambulance volunteers in Greater Manchester, for whom I have the up most admiration."

The British Order of St John comprises St John Ambulance and the St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem.