Tony Fowler, a milkman with a daily route that takes him 100 miles through 25 towns in Leicestershire, is being hailed a hero by the Queen of England for having contributed to the capture of a string of criminals. Throughout his 20-year career his watchful eye and quick response has foiled burglaries, stopped drug deals and blocked car thieves trying to escape by positioning his milk truck in their path.

Tony keeps an eye on people's homes when they are still asleep or away on holiday and has even rescued an elderly woman with Alzheimer's from a fire. He also aligns himself with good causes, raising money for charity and passing out leaflets.

Mr Fowler will collect the MBE from the Queen at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace today. He was also a Local Champion winner of the Pride of Britain Award in 2008.

The MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) is awarded to UK citizens who are dedicated in their field and set an example for others.

Fowler insisted on wearing a suit jacket decorated like a cow, even though the Palace officials asked that he reconsider. See the photos of occasion in the Daily Mail. "My wife Anne is not pleased about me going as a cow but I just want to do something different. Milkmen and women are very quiet people usually, except for me," he told the British press.

(READ the story at Mirror.co.uk – His FULL BIO is featured in the Pride of Britain Awards)