A PROUD mum is celebrating the news that her son has been awarded an MBE for his part in helping to rescue victims of the Tsunami disaster.

Alastair Farrow (42) was part of the British Consular's Rapid Reaction team in Colombo, Sri Lanka, when the tidal wave hit the island on Boxing Day 2004. He was then a Staff Sergeant but has since been promoted to Warrant Officer.

Alastair, whose mother Mrs Patricia Carroll lives in Radcliffe, devised a rescue plan for a large number of British and foreign nationals, many of whom were injured and traumatised.

The father-of-two, who is currently stationed in Germany, will be presented with his MBE at Buckingham Palace in the next few months watched by his mother, wife, Sarah, and two children, Alexander (6) and Hannah (4).

He is the second member of his family to receive the award. His brother Andrew received the honour ten years ago after being stationed as a major in Northern Ireland.

Alastair said: "We had tremendous support from the people back at the High Commission in Colombo. They worked round the clock running an operations centre manning phones and sorting out medical needs.

"It was a very humbling experience. Local people, many who had lost everything, were bending over backwards to help the foreign tourists. That is one thing I will never forget. I feel extremely honoured to get the MBE. You don't think of these things at the time. You do what has to be done to help people."

Mrs Carroll, who was born in Radcliffe and returned there a number of years ago after moving to be with her husband in the Army, said she was incredibly proud of Alistair.

"It was wonderful to hear the news when he visited at Christmas time. And to have two sons who have been presented with the award is fantastic. I am so proud."