A former school caretaker is among those to be recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

James Tompkins, of Braintree, 60, was honoured with an MBE for services to education, after working for 42 years for the education service in Southwark, London.

Honoured - James Tompkins, at work in his garden, was honoured with an MBE for services to education. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK

Mr Tompkins spent the last 28 years of that time as a premises manager at Longbourne Primary School, Southwark.

He said: "I was quite surprised to be nominated and absolutely amazed to actually get the honour.

"It's nice to know headteachers and governors appreciated what I did for them."

Mr Tompkins retired in January and moved to Braintree.

Eric Seymour, of Byron Road, Chelmsford, received the OBE for his services to the Royal British Legion in the county.

Prison governor David Boyton, of Burnham, has been rewarded with an MBE for more than three decades service

Ruth Clarke has clocked up 50 years of charity work for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and was honoured with the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to the charity.

Mrs Clarke, of Colchester, said: "This has come as a complete and utter shock to me. I didn't have a clue what was going on. It is very nice but it has absolutely floored me."

Former merchant seaman Ronald Wilson, of London Road, Colchester has been awarded an MBE for his services to the Far East Prisoners' of War Association.

Countryside-lover Ann Bartleet has been rewarded for her service to rural England.

Mrs Bartleet, 60, of Coggeshall received the MBE in recognition of her work with the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE).

Soldiers were also rewarded.

Colonel Mark Poffley was awarded an OBE for his work as Commanding Officer of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps.

Major Andrew Gow received an MBE for his work as Officer Commanding Headquarters Company and Quartermaster of 2 Para.

Captain Christopher Drew received an MBE for services as Regimental Sergeant Major of 216 Signal Squadron.

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