A proud Colchester mum is celebrating a major honours medal hat-trick scored by her family.

Three of Iris Licence's sons have been made MBEs for their services to the Army.

Mrs Licence, of Kings Meadow Road, said she burst into tears when son Ian, 43, told her he had been included in this year's New Year's Honours list.

The news came hot on the heels of his brother Alan's award in the Queen's birthday list last year, completing a treble started by 49-year-old Richard several years ago.

All three are majors, following in the footsteps of their father who died in 1987.

Mrs Licence said: "He would have been so proud. My only regret is he did not live to see this. I could not speak when Ian told me. I was so overcome with emotion."

Ian, who is stationed in Germany, was taken hostage in Baghdad during the Gulf war in 1991.

Following his release he was given a bravery award by the Queen Mother.

"They have all given so much it is just lovely to see them all rewarded. I am so proud I could burst," she added.

Mrs Licence, who has two more sons, said she was sad the whole family could not get together to celebrate as Alan, 46, is the only one based in Colchester where he serves with the Royal Logistics Corps.

But she hopes to have another photograph of a visit to the palace to add to those already on her wall.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.