LEGENDARY Great Missenden author Roald Dahl once refused an honour from the Queen, it has been revealed this week.

The writer turned down his OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1986, four years before his death in 1990.

He is one of a list of 277 figures, which also includes film director Sir Alfred Hitchcock, Narnia author CS Lewis and novelist Graham Greene, who refused the honours between 1951 and 1999.

This previously closely-guarded information was made public by the Cabinet Office after a BBC Freedom of Information request was made.

It covers anyone who was refused an honour in the Queen’s New Year of Birthday Honours list.

Roald Dahl is best known for his much-loved children’s books, which include Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, The BFG, The Twits and James and The Giant Peach, although he also wrote novels, short stories and for film and television.

The author used to live in Gipsey House in Great Missenden, and several settings in his books were based on locations in and around the village.

The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre is now based in Great Missenden High Street.