Fylde rugby legend Bill Beaumont said meeting The Queen to collect his CBE was one of the biggest "tests" of his life.

The 56-year-old received the honour at Buckingham Palace in recognition for his work off the pitch.

Lytham-based Bill captained his country 21 times, winning Grand Slam in 1980, and also skippered the British Lions on tours across the globe.

He is now still heavily involved in the game as England's representative on the International Rugby Board (IRB) after stepping down from the Lions set up last year.

Bill, who received an OBE from the palace 26 years ago, said: "It was very memorable and something I will never forget.

"The Queen asked me if I was still involved in the game and I told her I regularly see her two grandsons, William and Harry, at Twickenham for Tests.

"Stepping into the palace was quite nerve-wracking. In fact, I was more nervous than when I lined up for an international!

"It is always an honour to be rewarded for something you enjoy doing.

"Today I will be back on the sidelines watching two of my sons playing for their respective teams."

With Bill at the palace were his wife Hilary, eldest son Daniel, 25, and his two rugby playing sons Sam, 23, and Josh, 16.

The former lock received the award for his charity work and his role as a sporting ambassador.

Bill is President of Wooden Spoon Society which raises funds for sports equipment for disabled children. He is also a governor at Arnold School and runs his own textile company in Chorley.

He made his international debut as a 22-year-old against Ireland in 1975 and went on to win a further 33 caps. He played 15 times for the Barbarians and was the first English skipper of the British Lions for 50 years when he toured with them in South Africa in 1980.

Bill's colleagues at Fylde RU's Woodlands stadium today paid tribute to the giant of the English game.

Fylde Rugby Club chairman Mike Brennan said: "What a lot of people don't appreciate about Bill is the amount of work he does behind the scenes.

"He is still very passionate about the game and regularly speaks to the back room staff her at Fylde about weekend events on and off the pitch.

"We are all very proud of what he has achieved and what he has done for the club."