A LONG-SERVING sailing instructor has said he was “gobsmacked” after logging onto his iPad to find he had been named in the New Year’s Honours list.

Nicholas Cross, 74, from Wivenhoe, has been issued a coveted British Empire Medal by King Charles III for services to young people and to charity.

He was specifically recognised for his unbridled commitment to the West Wiltshire Sailing Association, at which he volunteered for some 40 years.

During his time at the club Mr Cross, who moved to Colchester in October, taught an endless conveyor belt of youngsters how to navigate a boat on the water.

READ MORE: 'Shocked and so pleased' - Long-serving volunteer, 76, named in New Year's Honours

Over the last decade and a half, he has also helped out at the Wivenhoe Sailing Club, having frequently travelled to the town to see lifelong friends.

Speaking about his award, the devoted father said: “Every November I go out to Antigua for six weeks to help out at a sailing academy.

“One evening I went on my iPad and then went onto my emails and I suddenly saw this letter from the Cabinet Office.

“I was absolutely gobsmacked and I was busting to tell someone but you are sworn to secrecy and confidentiality.

“I am very proud and honoured but humbled as well because I could not have done it without all the help from everyone that has made the club as good as it is.

“We are all just volunteers and nobody gets paid - it is a team effort all the way through.”

Mr Cross, who has had an endless stream of congratulatory messages since the news of his BEM broke, now plans on celebrating the only way he knows how: by sailing.

“I just love sailing and I love the whole experience of it, and so I have bought my dinghy to Wivenhoe with me so I plan to race,” he added.

“My good friends lived in Lexden for donkey’s years and I have been coming here for 14 years to help out at the sailing club.

“I had various roles at the West Wiltshire Sailing club over the years and saw it grow in stature, but I just thoroughly enjoyed teaching the youngsters how to sail.”