French-born chef Raymond Blanc has been awarded an honorary OBE for services to the British food industry.

The host of the BBC show The Restaurant said he was proud of the work he had done for "British palates".

Blanc, 58, who was born in Besancon, eastern France, was presented with the honour by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham.

Blanc's career took off in Britain when he stepped in for the chef who fell ill at the restaurant where he was working as a waiter.

The chef, who arrived in Britain in 1972, opened his own restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, in Oxford in 1984. It won the accolade of Egon Ronay Restaurant of the Year after just one year and has retained two Michelin stars for nearly a quarter of a century.

Blanc said: "I am both proud and delighted to be awarded this honour by Her Majesty the Queen for my contributions to the food industry in Britain.

"Being French, I have an almost innate love of the best cuisine and produce.

"I am thrilled that building my successful career in cooking has grown alongside building an awareness and appreciation of good food, healthy dishes and quality produce for British palates.

"I am proud to have my contribution to the British food industry recognised in such a privileged way and I look forward to contributing so much more in the future."

Mr Burnham said: "Raymond has done an outstanding job in promoting culinary excellence not only to the British public, but for Britain itself, and has helped to raise awareness of the importance of healthy, nutritious food."