A MAN who has raised more than £1.5million for his Scout group over 40 years of service has been honoured with an MBE.

Prince William recognised Bradley Cox, 52, for his outstanding contribution to the Canvey community during a special ceremony yesterday.

The Scout leader had been part of the movement since he was eight years old and has built up the 4th Canvey Sea Scout Group to one of the best in the country.

He has raised more than £1.5million to put towards equipment, trips, charity and a new headquarters.

The group’s base, in Blackthorne Road, Canvey, was built in 2005 and is now used by more than 200 young people in the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, every day.

Despite admitting he was nervous to meet the Prince, Mr Cox, of Laburnum Grove, Canvey, still cracked a joke with the royal during their short exchange.

He said: “I told him about how much money I had raised and how long I had been involved in the Scouts.

“I told him we all think we are Peter Pan, but the mirror tells us otherwise. He laughed at that.

“It was a really nice day. When you see what other people have been awarded for, it is very humbling.

“It’s a fantastic way of saying thank you.

“Prince William was really interested and said his wife was very much into Scouting.

“The Scouts is for young people and is all about fun.

“I did invite him to visit and said if he ever came to Canvey he could come to see us.

“It’s only down the Thames, so it would be easy enough for him to find us.”

Mr Cox celebrated the day with his mum Rita Cox, sister Maxine Figueira, brother Vernon Cox and Cub leader Bill Bryan.

He said: “It’s not just me who has achieved all this. It’s really a team effort to make it all work. I couldn’t have done it alone.”