An avid Lake District fell runner who has raised millions for charity received his MBE from King Charles.

Steve Watts, 70, has raised £3 million for charity over the past 40 years. 

He has been awarded an MBE for his services to charitable fundraising with his first one raising more than £3,000 for a ventilator for the then 11-year-old Gary Hughes.

Not long after, Steve was asked by a consultant neurologist who had cared for Gary at Booth Hall Children’s Hospital to help raise £1 million to provide the first CT scanner dedicated to children in the North West.

Steve, from Grasmere, described the moment he met His Royal Highness with disbelief and branded it as 'overwhelmingly emotional'.

"I'm still wondering if it really happened," Steve said.

"We were able to have a laugh and he was asking me about my time as a guard, protecting his 'mama' as he affectionately called her.

"He asked me about my time as a Grenadier Guard. I said 'it was an honour to serve your late, ma ma, her Majesty the Queen' - to which he said 'thank you' for my service."

The Mail: Steve and His Royal Highness share a private laughSteve and His Royal Highness share a private laugh (Image: Steve Watts)

Read more: Fell runner receives award from Prime Minister on Lake District summit | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

Steve, originally from Oldham, moved to the Lake District seven years ago, and formerly served as a Grenadier Guard.

Over the years, he has combined his love of fell running with raising money, as well as helping children experience the beauty of the region.

"His Majesty asked me if I was going to be running back home to the Lakes - which really showed to me his sense of humour," Steve said.

"I joked that it had already taken me 70 years to get here, referring to being before him now - I don't think anyone was expecting someone to be brave enough to talk to him so naturally."

The Mail: A moment created by 30 years of fundraisingA moment created by 30 years of fundraising (Image: Steve Watts)

Steve added that he had been blown away by the response to the news, receiving messages from countless people over social media.

"This isn't just about me though - the award is for all the people who I've cajoled and badgered over the years to give their time and money to these causes," he said.

Having recently organised the 'Summits Up for Tony challenge' to help eight-year-old Tony Hudgell achieve his dream of conquering a famous Lake District fell, Steve aims to build on all he has achieved so far.

"We need to inspire the next generation of Lakeland lovers," he said, "and we need them to experience what the Lake District has to offer."