Keighley's "Mr History", Ian Dewhirst, who has been probing the town's past for 40 years, has received the MBE in honour of the 62-year-old retired Keighley reference librarian's services to local history. "I am absolutely thrilled. Local history has been my great interest in life so I am very happy and it is very encouraging to get this spectacular bonus,'' said bachelor Mr Dewhirst of Raglan Avenue, Keighley, who retired in 1991 after 24 years as reference librarian.

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