A NAVAL man from Tenbury needed his sea legs when he heard that he was being awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours list.

"It came as a complete surprise and I was not expecting it," said Chris Dovey, who has been recognised for his service to the Royal Naval Association and for other community work in the Tenbury area.

Chris, aged 68, has been chairman of the Royal Naval Association for the past four years and a member for 25 years.

He is a military man to the core having served as a Royal Naval officer for 16 years from 1968 until 1984. Chris then spent a couple of years teaching in the North of England before working for the Ministry of Defence in training roles for a further 19 years before he finally retired in 2005.

The Royal Naval Association provides support for people who serve and have served in the Navy. Membership is not just open to former servicemen and women.

"in the Tenbury branch we have 50 members and just 14 of them have served in the Royal Navy," said Chris.

The work of the association involves welfare support and helping men and women to find work in civilian life after they have left the Royal Navy.

Chris said that in his role with the Royal Naval Association he had been involved in nominating other people for honours but had never imagined that he would get one himself.

His OBE is also for community work which includes supporting local charities and involvement with the Tenbury Community Bus.

He has also visited Tanzania as part of a project involving the Churches in Ludlow Diocese and the Tenbury Team Ministry,

Chris who has a son living in Canada says his work would not have been possible without the support of his family.

"My wifeGail has been a tremendous supporter of all my voluntary activities and without her support I would not have been able to do all that I do," said Chris.

Another person from Tenbury to receive an honour is Prue Winton from St Michael's who has been awarded an MBE for her voluntary service to the Conservative Party.