Veteran Poppy Appeal organiser Philip Powell of Ashperton has been awarded the MBE for services to the Royal British Legion.

Mr Powell, of Moorend Farm, said: "It's quite a surprise. Folks have been teasing me about whether they'll have to bow in future."

Mr Powell, 83, joined the Legion in 1947 after it fought a pension battle on his behalf. He had been invalided out of the 2nd Battalion Herefordshire Regiment after developing pneumonia and then TB on an army exercise, during the war.

He was chairman of Little Marcle branch for 33 years and has been a welfare caseworker. The Legion has already recognised his dedication with a gold award and life membership.

He served for 45 years as the Poppy Appeal organiser for the Little Marcle and district area, before standing down in 2003. His first collection in 1958 raised £65.11s, compared with sums of over £1,500 in recent years.

He served on Ashperton Parish Council for 30 years and has been the footpaths officer for Ashperton and a governor for the school. He is married to Joan, and the couple have four children, Grant, Susan, Adrian, and Alison.

Also in the New Year's Honours list was Jennifer Dereham, of Woolhope, who was awarded the MBE, for services to health and housing in Herefordshire.

A former chairman of Malvern Hills District Council, she helped to raise more that £8m for Hereford County Hospital and was a founder member of the Community Health Council.

Mrs Dereham was also founder member of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Rural Housing Association and vice-chairman of the St John Kemble Housing Association.