All the brilliant Lancastrians in King Charles' Birthday Honours, including David Fishwick and Mooky the Clown

A much-loved circus clown, a long serving council official, a university vice-chancellor and a entrepreneur who has had his exploits made into a film are among the Lancashire recipients of awards in the King’s Birthday honours.

Laci Endresz, better known as Mooky the Clown, has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to entertainment.

His relationship with The Blackpool Tower Circus began in 1992, marking the start of one of the most enduring careers in British entertainment.

In 1999, he took on the role that would define his legacy: Mooky the Clown. Since then, he has starred as the headline act in every season for an astonishing 27 consecutive years, never missing a single show.

In addition to performing in more than 350 shows each year, he writes and directs the entire circus production.

He said of his honour: “This really is so special for me and my family. I love what I do - everything from designing and building the props to producing and directing the show.

“It isn’t a job to me; it is my passion and calling in life. I am humbled to have been chosen to receive a British Empire Medal and I’m really so grateful to our audiences for their support.”

Kate Shane, managing director of Blackpool Tourism Limited, said: “I am so thrilled that Laci has received this special recognition.”

Alan Cavill of Blackpool Council has been appointed as an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for services to regeneration in Blackpool, where he grew up

Played a major role in the town’s £2bn regeneration for nearly 30 years, he has, along with directing projects such as the £350m Talbot Gateway and £300m Enterprise Zone, ensured that skills practices are in place to ensure local people benefit from the town’s growth by securing training opportunities and jobs.

In addition to his role in regeneration, Alan also led the council’s cultural, tourism and visitor teams from 2010 to 2025, including the Blackpool Illuminations, setting up of Showtown Museum and leading on the purchase of the Blackpool Tower and Winter Gardens back into public ownership.

Alan, said: “I am deeply honoured to have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.

“As with many people this is an acknowledgment of achievements that are by no means my own. I am truly grateful to my wife and family for giving me the support that has allowed me to pursue my career and to the many people who have done most of the work to deliver the changes to my hometown that this award recognises.”

Blackpool Council leader Cllr Lynn Williams added: “This honour is extremely well deserved. For decades, Alan has been a dedicated public servant working tirelessly to make Blackpool a better place.”

University of Lancashire vice-chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin has been appointed an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire).

He took on his current role as the principal academic and administrative officer at the Preston-based university in 2019, having been previously vice-chancellor of Solent University for five years.

Professor Baldwin said: “I am deeply grateful to the many colleagues, mentors and my family whose encouragement, collaboration and support throughout my career have made this honour possible, and I accepted this OBE as a reflection of our shared achievements.”

Entrepreneur Dave Fishwick, who inspired Netflix’s Bank of Dave film, has hailed self-belief and determination as key to his success as he told of his amazement at being made an OBE for services to finance, business and to charity.

After growing up in a poor family in Nelson, he made his fortune supplying minibuses before opening an independent lending company to support people following the 2008 financial crash.

The 55-year-old businessman-turned-philanthropist said: “This award from the King just shows that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything, and you can come from the north, you really can come from the north of England and still have opportunities like lots of people do in the south.”

Dr Karen Whittaker, from Preston, senior education lead at the Institute of Health Visiting is appointed an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to health visiting, recognising her significant contribution to health visitor practice, education and research over 38 years.

Karen joined the Institute of Health Visiting in 2022 and has worked with partners to publish a number of iHV workforce and education resources.

She said: “I am grateful to all the colleagues and many role models I’ve been fortunate to learn from and most of all from the support of my family and husband who have always stood by me and kept me going.”

Professor Paul Taylor, from Poulton, Police Chief Scientific Adviser at the National Police Chiefs' Council is appointed a CBE (Commanders of the Order of the British Empire) for services to science in policing.

Along with Professor Baldwin and Mr Fishwick, OBEs go to:

Andrea Bennett, of Preston, regional probation director, North West Probation HM Prison and Probation Service for services to probation; Maria Lane, from Blackpool, deputy director for people safety at the Government’s Department for Work and Pensions, for services to People Safety and Wellbeing; Jonathan Lutwyche, from Lancaster, founder and CEO of the Lancaster-based Yordas Group, for services to sustainable chemicals management, economic growth, international trade and advancing opportunities for women and young people; David Read, of Poulton, head of delivery North West at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, for public service and Rebekah Warburton, of St Annes, deputy director for health transformation and delivery at the Department for Work and Pensions, for public service.

Recipients of the MBE also include:

Sara Barr-Frost, of Preston, deputy chief nursing and allied health professionals officer, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and lately Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, for services to the NHS; Former Blackburn Rovers footballer and ex-England interim coach Lee Carsley, coach, England men's Under-21 football team, for services to association football; Victoria Eccleston, from Preston, senior probation officer, National Probation Service, for services to women on probation; Dr Howard Greenwood, of Carnforth, for services to nuclear waste management and Lancashire County Councillor David Snape, of Adlington, for parliamentary and political service.

Other recipients of the BEM include swimming coach Leslie Alan France, from Blackpool, for services to swimming and to the community in Wigan and Nick Ward, from Carnforth, for services to the community in Over Kellet.

He is a former parish councillor and led the Jubilee Bells project campaign to restore and install an eight-bell peal at St Cuthbert’s Church in the village.