A WORCESTERSHIRE MP who was knighted in the Queen's New Year’s Honours has been to collect his award - calling it his "perfect day".

Sir Peter Luff rubbed shoulders with Her Majesty at Windsor Castle on Friday, where he took the honour for his contribution to the country.

The 59-year-old, who is retiring at next year's general election, was born in Windsor and said collecting his knighthood at the historic castle was better than being in Buckingham Palace.

Amid soaring heat Mr Luff, who represents Mid-Worcestershire, said it was a day he would remember for the rest of his life.

"It was hugely impressive - I was born in Windsor so for me it was particularly poignant," he said.

"For me Windsor Castle was perfect, better than Buckingham Palace - it was the town I was raised in.

"What really struck me was how delightful the staff were, it was a really great day for me and my family."

He told your Worcester News Her Majesty was great at making him "feel at ease".

"It was magnificent, she asked questions about me, expressed a real interest and really did put me at ease," he said.

He was accompanied on his trip by his two grown-up children and wife Julia, who works in his office.

Immediately after getting his knighthood he went into Twitter to spread the word, calling it his "perfect summer's day".

Before becoming a parliamentarian, Mr Luff worked for the then-MP for Worcester Lord Walker, and went on to be head of private office to the former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath in the early 1980s.

He was first elected as MP for Worcester in 1992 and then for the new Mid-Worcestershire seat in 1997 after the boundaries were withdrawn, commanding a majority of 15,864 for the Conservatives.

He has worked on the commons agriculture committee, served as assistant chief whip, been appointed chairman of the influential business, innovation and skills Committee and served as defence minister.

His knighthood was for political and public services.