THORNBURY and Yate MP Steve Webb has been appointed a member of the Privy Council.

The Liberal Democrat MP, who lives in Olveston, received the honour from The Queen after four years of service as Minister of State for Pensions and 17 years in parliament.

The Privy Council is a group of senior parliamentarians and other leading public figures whose role is largely ceremonial and who occasionally meet with The Queen to conduct council business.

Members of the Privy Council are referred to as ‘the Right Honourable’ and this title remains with them even when they are no longer active in political life.

“It is a great honour to be appointed by The Queen to be a member of the Privy Council,” said Mr Webb.

“Although I have acquired a new honorary title, I hope I will still be simply ‘Steve’ to everyone in the local area.”

There are between 500 and 600 members of the Privy Council and the whole council would meet in the event of the death of the monarch.

Mr Webb will be formally inducted at Buckingham Palace in November but has already received his letter of appointment with a wax seal from Buckingham Palace.