A TARDEBIGGE prison officer has been honoured with a prestigious award from Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.

Chris O’Sullivan, from HMP Hewell, near Redditch, has been presented with a Butler Trust Award for exceptional humanity, dedication and skill.

Mr O’ Sullivan has 20 years’ service as a prison officer and is a healthy living instructor in the prison.

Chair of the Awarding Panel Sir Michael Harrison said: "The awarding Panel were impressed by the exceptional humanity, dedication and skill Chris has brought to HMP Hewell over more than 20 years’ service as a prison officer, and more recently as healthy living instructor in the prison. In his nomination he was described by one prisoner as 'an inspiration’, and by his deputy governor as ‘an outstanding public servant and human being’. He is a worthy winner indeed."

The Butler Trust Annual Awards, which are now in their 32nd year, honour outstanding work by staff and volunteers working in prisons, probation and youth justice across the UK.

This year’s Award Ceremony was held at St James’s Palace, with The Princess Royal presiding, as she has each year since the trust’s launch.

Simon Shepherd, director of the trust, said: "In her annual Christmas Day address, The Queen spoke about the cumulative impact of 'ordinary people doing extraordinary things'.

"That’s exactly what the Butler Trust Awards are for, and they are an important reminder that, behind the negative headlines, are some remarkable people doing an exceptional job, every day, on behalf of the people in their charge and the public they serve."