DJ Nelson receives royal honour

Nelson works as an ambassador for a community youth project

Radio 1 DJ Trevor Nelson has been presented with an MBE for his services to young people at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Nelson, who also presents a show on MTV, was given his award by Prince Charles on Friday.

The MBE is in recognition of his work as an ambassador for Millennium Volunteers - a government initiative which encourages 16- to 24-year-olds to volunteer in their local communities.

Nelson, a respected champion of R'n'B, began presenting the Rhythm Nation show on BBC Radio 1 in 1996, gaining a second show on Saturday afternoon a year later.

The time that I had put in for this award is never enough as far as I'm concerned

Trevor Nelson

The same year he also won the DJ of the year at the Music of Black Origin (Mobo) awards.

In receiving his MBE from the prince, he said he would celebrate at the gig he was holding on Friday night in London.

"I think I'll look back in 10 years on this and say 'wow'," Nelson added.

He joked that he thought the prince might attempt to get tickets for one of his shows on behalf of Princes William and Harry.

"I thought he might blag some tickets off me for William and Harry for a party but he didn't," Nelson said.

Nelson's children went with him to the palace

Nelson was accompanied to the palace by his wife Anna and children, Mali, 12, and Miles, nine.

He described his work with Millennium Volunteers as the highlight of his career.

"The time that I had put in for this award is never enough as far as I'm concerned," he said.

He praised the Millennium Volunteer scheme for including young people of all backgrounds.

The scheme is open to anyone aged 16-24 and volunteers can take part in activities from sports coaching to DJ-ing.

More than 80,000 people have volunteered for the project since its launch three years ago.