An Army officer from York proudly donned a distinctive new uniform and met the Queen after being picked for a prestigious post with Her Majesty's body guard.

Captain Ray Duffy, 54, from Clifton Moor, was chosen from a long list of applicants to join the Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard in London.

Yesterday, dressed in scarlet tunic and knee breeches trimmed with purple velvet and gold lace and a purple velvet hat adorned with red, white and blue ribbons, he marched with the guard from St James's Palace to Buckingham Palace where he was inspected by the Queen.

He said: "I was delighted to be chosen - it is a great honour and it is for life."

The guard, which was founded in 1485 by Henry VI is the oldest body guard in the world. Its 70 members take part in ceremonies such as the State Opening of Parliament and coronations.

A reception was held at St James's Palace where Capt Duffy, was joined by his wife, Carol, his brother, Chris, and son, Martin, who is a civilian driver for 46 Transport Squadron, based at Imphal Barracks.

In the evening, the guard had dinner with the Queen and Capt Duffy was one of seven members introduced to her.

He joined the Army in 1964 and served with Airborne forces for ten years and has been based at Catterick and Imphal Barracks, in York.

He was commissioned into the Royal Signals in 1988, left the Army in 1995 and was appointed Permanent Staff Administrative Officer at 90 Signal Squadron in Hartlepool in 1997.

Updated: 08:37 Thursday, May 03, 2001