A MAN has been awarded a sash by the Queen, after a big win at a weekend carriage-driving championship.

James Swann, 24, of Humber Way, Langley, was declared overall winner in the Horse Driving Championships, held in Windsor Great Park over the weekend.

Mr Swann has been training on a horse, Dusty, who has the show name 'Dun n' Dusted', since December last year, and has been diligently training him for success.

Mr Swann, who works for Haart Estate Agents in Slough, said: "We got Dusty in December, and since then we've been schooling him."

"I got into carriage riding with the help of Mark and Carol Armstrong, who own Twyneash Stud yard, in Eton Wick. At the competition, I came first in my class, which allowed me to progress to the championship."

Speaking about his win, Mr Swann said: "It was really overwhelming – my family was in the crowd, along with the Armstrongs. A lot of hard work goes into the horses, but it seems we have have been doing something right.

"I knew the Queen would be there, but I didn't know she would be presenting the award to me – it was quite incredible."