Cow-suit crimefighter milks his day out at Palace to receive MBE

A MILKMAN dressed up as a Friesian cow to receive an MBE from the Queen in recognition of his work in the community.

Tony Fowler arrived at Buckingham Palace wearing a dark suit with white patches sewn on to its front and back and much of the sleeves covered in white material in tribute to his favourite animal.

The 51-year-old was awarded the honour for services to the people in and around the Leicestershire town of Melton Mowbray where he has helped officers catch a string of criminals by keeping a look-out for suspicious behaviour.

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Mr Fowler, who also wore a dark tie covered with cows, said: "It's very humbling to be here and a privilege and I regard this MBE as something for all milkmen. "Normally they are quiet people – if they do something they don't want to be recognised – so this is for all of them."

He toned down the outfit after palace officials asked him not to wear face paint.

He was honoured alongside bomb disposal expert Staff Sergeant Kim Hughes, who received the George Cross.

The Queen expressed her concern about the number of bomb disposal experts in the Army and asked him if the Ministry of Defence was able send more out to Afghanistan.

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Her question comes a few weeks after Colonel Bob Seddon, the Army's top bomb disposal officer, resigned amid fears his unit overstretched and undermanned.

SSgt Hughes, of the Royal Logistic Corps, was honoured with the highest bravery award for valour not in the presence of the enemy for the "single most outstanding act of explosive ordnance disposal" recorded in Afghanistan.

The soldier was honoured after risking his life by defusing improvised explosive devices to clear a path to a group of injured soldiers.

He said he was part of a team and that the honour was for everyone he worked with.