Paul Whittaker, of Ripponden, was presented with the OBE for his involvement with charity Music and the Deaf at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Whittaker, who is profoundly deaf, is the founder and driving force of the organisation which helps youngsters with hearing difficulties enjoy music and socialising. "It was an exciting day," said Mr Whittaker. "Somehow it didn't seem real until Tuesday afternoon when I was standing in front of the Queen and she pinned it on me. It was fantastic."

He travelled to London for the presentation with his mum and dad, Margaret and Peter Whittaker, his interpreter Maria Sykes and tutor from university, Edward Olleson.

"My mum cried at least four times. "Both of them are very proud."

Mr Whittaker started the charity in 1988, working from his parents' attic.

"I've always been interested in music, ever since I was 12 years old. This has really been a childhood dream," he said.

He started by contacting schools for deaf children and people who work in deaf education, asking them if he could work with their students.

"They enjoyed it and they started telling other people," he said. "I do it because I want to share my love of music with other people.

"People come up to me and say 'you came to my school 10 years ago and helped me to enjoy music which no one had ever done before, and I'm still enjoying it now.'

"That's humbling."