AN Inverclyde eye surgeon has set his sights on an trip to Buckingham Palace after being awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his tireless charity work.

Dr Sadhu-Ram Gupta, 73, is being recognised for his lifelong work improving ophthalmic services locally and for his mercy missions restoring sight to impoverished people in some of the most deprived countries in the world.

The Indian-born surgeon worked at Inverclyde Royal Hospital from 1981 until his retirement in 2011.

His wife, Pupsha, also worked there for three decades.

Dr Gupta said: "I am honoured and proud to have received the accolade, not just for me, but for my family, colleagues and volunteers who supported me in my fundraising efforts for Inverclyde Royal and in delivering the eye camps over the last 20 years.

"My mother instilled in me one of life’s most important lessons - to always do what you can to help those less fortunate than oneself.

"The Drishti Eye Camps were my way of using my knowledge to do just that and I am humbled by the recognition received today."

Dr Gupta's mercy missions came about following a trip to Bangladesh in 1994 with a group of fellow surgeons where he helped carry out cataract and glaucoma surgery on over 200 patients.

More than a dozen have taken place since then - with the surgeon using annual leave and funding them out of his own pocket.

The last was in India two years ago when Dr Gupta was 72.

Dr Gupta has also helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for services and equipment in Inverclyde.

He still lives locally with his wife and adds the MBE to a string of awards he has won over the years.