A FORMER Bishop of St Albans and vicar of St Thomas-on-the Bourne has received a prestigious award endorsed by the Prince of Wales.

The Abbeyfield Royal Patron’s Award recognises those who have made an exceptional effort to improve the lives of the country’s older people.

And it was awarded to Right Reverend Doctor Christopher Herbert.

Dr Herbert first became involved with The Abbeyfield Society, a charity that provides housing and care to older people, in 1995.

During this time he became a trustee in 2009 as well as a trustee of The Abbeyfield Research Foundation in 2015, an arm of the charity which funds research into gerontology.

He was also the driving force behind the charity’s spirituality programme, an initiative that encourages holistic care regardless of belief system, and the introduction of the Abbeyfield chaplaincy role, something that supports both those who live and work within the organisation.

Dr Herbert said: “It was a huge privilege to have received a Royal Patron’s award and I am most grateful for all the work that went on behind the scenes to make that possible. Thank you to all who were involved.”