HE only took up the piano after breaking his ankle - but now Derek Norval has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to music.

Derek, who grew up in Barrhead, was delighted to receive the prestigious medal in the New Year honours list. 

The 69-year-old pianist and conductor was told he had been nominated six weeks ago but managed to keep it a secret from his wife Lyndsay until New Year’s Eve.

Derek, who had stints as organist at both Barrhead Methodist Church and the former Barrhead South and Levern Church, said: “I was really surprised when I opened the letter.

“It has been hard keeping it a secret but I wanted to surprise Lyndsay, as well as family and friends.

“I am deeply honoured to have been even considered and I would like to thank those who nominated me.”

Derek is well known in music circles, not only in Barrhead but also across the country.

For 15 years he was organist and choirmaster at Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church in Paisley.

It was there that, 35 years ago, he established the Thomas Coats Memorial Choral Society, which still performs today.

Derek has also held posts with various amateur operatic societies, including the famous Orpheus Club, in Glasgow, and the Paisley Musical and Operatic Society.

In addition, he is former principal teacher of music at Paisley Grammar School and is a respected judge at various music festivals across Scotland.

However, as a young boy, he was more interested in pursuing a career in football than making it as a musician.

Derek explained: “When I was 11, I broke my ankle and was feeling miserable. My mum promised to buy me a pair of football boots if I went for piano lessons.

“I have to say, I was probably no loss to football.”

However, football’s loss was definitely music’s gain and, by the age of 16, Derek was organist at the two Barrhead churches.

After teaching at Paisley Grammar in the 1970s, he went on to conduct the Orpheus Club in a production of The Mikado.

He has also conducted sell-out shows of musicals such as Les Miserables.

For the last 25 years, Derek has served as organist and choirmaster at St Paul’s Church in Milngavie.

In 2013, his 50 years of service as church organist was recognised at St Paul’s Church when he was presented with a Certificate of Long Service signed by the Moderator of the Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Derek's mastery of the organ is seen as a considerable enrichment to worship at St Paul’s.

In addition, the Girls’ Brigade company associated with the church had a percussion band which he was happy to tutor.

Derek was also principal teacher of music and then course director of the music school at Douglas Academy in Milngave for 35 years before retiring in 2014.

As well as piano, he also plays the cello, guitar, double bass and drums.

The British Empire Medal was formally known as the British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service.

It is awarded for meritorious civil or military service deemed to be worthy of recognition by the Crown.