Horror novelist spooks Charles with role in latest book as he receives OBE

Herbert, 67, has frightened millions of readers with his novels

featuring the supernatural or threats to mankind like nuclear war or flesh eating giant rats.

During the 1970s a succession of novels like The Fog and Lair were must-read books which left readers with their hearts racing and he has hogged the best-seller lists ever since.

After the Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony yesterday the writer described the OBE, for services to literature, as an honour and something his mother, now dead, would have been proud of.

He added: "I believe it's the first time a horror writer has had an award of this kind. Strangely enough this year they had the world horror convention in England and they gave me the award – Grand Master of Horror."

His latest work will be called Ash and will probably be published in two parts.

The writer would not give much away about the inclusion of Charles but told him he makes an appearance.

The 67-year-old, from Brighton, said: "I told him 'you're in my new book'. I'm glad it's not out yet but I told him 'It's OK, I'm not saying anything bad about you but you are there'. In fact I like him and I say some very nice things about him."

Also at Buckingham Palace was Lance Corporal Steven Nethery of the Royal Marines receiving the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. The Marine ran unarmed under concentrated Taliban fire, to retrieve a wounded colleague, and then braved the open ground a second time to prevent vital equipment falling into enemy hands.