THE guiding light behind some of the world's greatest acting legends is today enjoying the limelight himself after being awarded an MBE.

Worcestershire's Michael Ernest Gazeley Northen has been honoured for his services to the theatre where his near 50-year career has seen him working with the likes of Sir John Gielgud and Lord Olivier.

Mr Northen, now aged 79, started his lighting career in 1952.

"My parents wanted me to go into the Army but I was very interested in the technical side of the theatre," he said.

"They gave me a year to prove myself and one of my first jobs was in Stratford - the Memorial Theatre as it was in those days. I lit Sir John Gielgud in King Lear.

"I was extremely proud to light him and followed this with lighting actors like Lord Olivier and Sir Alec Guinness."

Mr Northen also worked at the Royal Opera House with productions including the Royal Ballet where he met Dame Margot Fonteyn.

"Although I was behind the scenes so to speak I was able to get to know the actors and John Gielgud was my favourite," he said.

"My favourite lighting job during my career was Benjamin Britten's Tale of the Screw which took me to Venice, Florence and Munich."

In the 1960s, Mr Northen changed direction by working on pantomimes in cities including Edinburgh and Glasgow.

"At one time I had six going on at the same time!" he said.

"One of my favourite works is The Mousetrap which I worked on and has just had its 200,000th performance - timeless!"

Mr Northen, who lives - appropriately - in Broadway, but was born in London, is president of the Association of Lighting Designers. The group was started back in 1952 with around four members and now has more than 800.

"I'm very pleased with my award and have loved every minute of my work," added Mr Northen who retired three years ago.

and lists gardening among his hobbies.