A volunteer has shared his pride after being one of 2,000 people who had the honour of walking in the Queen's funeral procession last week.

Steve Ribchester, from Holcombe, has volunteered more than 700 hours of his time to the British Red Cross and in the last two years he has worked with Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.

The 62-year-old has also trained as a North West Ambulance Service driver and a care assistant.  

His volunteering work gave him the opportunity to take part in the historic service on Monday, September 19, which was watched by billions of people around the world.

Bury Times: The Queen's funeralThe Queen's funeral (Image: PA)

Steve said: “Very few people can say that they took part in the state funeral procession for Queen Elizabeth.

“My kids, grandkids and generations to come in my family will know that I was there on the day.

"It makes me very proud and emotional to think of that.” 

Steve said he was excited, but he was in two minds about the day, just hoping that he would do his family and Her Majesty proud as he marched from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch.

He added: “The day started at 4.30am and at 5.30am we were coached into Wellington Barracks.

“I was in procession number seven, which was the last one to leave the barracks but we saw all the rest of the parade and the procession all being formed and practising.

“We had three days of training, marching through the procession twice a day.

 “We reckoned from the Wednesday to the Monday - just in training - we walked around 30 miles and my back is still telling me about it!”

Queen Elizabeth II was patron of the British Red Cross for more than 70 years and four representatives from the organisation, including Steve, took part in her funeral procession. 

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