A customs officer was today celebrating after he received the Latvian equivalent of an OBE.
John Hallis, of Knollcroft, Shoebury, used to work in this country but was asked to go to Latvia for three years to help modernise the country's customs department.
He stayed in Riga and the country wanted to honour his hard work and achievements by presenting him with the order of the three stars.
Mr Hallis said: "It was a formal ceremony but it was a really high honour to receive. There were only 48 given out.
"Afterwards we had a big celebration and party."
The award is a white Maltese enamel cross and Mr Hallis's work in Latvia was funded by the European Union's Phare programme which gives aid to underdeveloped European Union countries.
Medal - Mr Hallis with the award
Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD
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