A former Attleborough resident who now heads an organisation supporting hundreds of nursery schools across the UK has been granted one of the country's oldest honours.

A FORMER Attleborough resident who now heads an organisation supporting hundreds of nursery schools across the UK has been granted one of the country's oldest honours.

Philip Bujak became a Freeman of the City of London at a ceremony at the London Guildhall.

The 50-year-old is the chief executive of the Montessori Schools Association, which administers more than 630 nursery schools.

On his new title, he said: 'It's a lovely honour and another lovely part of my life.'

Mr Bujak was born in Attleborough and went to the town's high school before heading to City College, in Norwich.

He joined the army for nine years before beginning a career in teaching.

Having chosen to read English and European Political History at the University of East Anglia (UEA), he began as a history teacher at Wymondham College.

Mr Bujak moved onto Langley School, near Loddon, before becoming the headteacher of Stover School for Girls in Devon.

In 2003, he was appointed chief executive of the Montessori Schools Association.

He said he never expected to find himself working in education.

'I didn't like school. I left with one O-level. So anyone who feels it did not go well at school should look at me,' he said.

He is also known as an author having penned books on Norfolk and Suffolk history, the evolution of Attleborough and the story of Lt Col Jack Sherwood Kelly, who received the Victoria Cross.