A ROTARIAN from Broadway has received an award from Rotary International for his exemplary voluntary and charity work in England and abroad.

Peter Riley, who has been a volunteer for Mencap, Evesham and Pershore branch for 40 years, and Chernobyl 2000 for three years, was presented with the Paul Harris Fellow award at Cheltenham Cleeve Vale Rotary's 25th anniversary dinner a fortnight ago.

The 66-year-old, who co-founded Cheltenham's Cleeve Vale Rotary Club said: "Somebody nominated me somewhere, it's all a bit hush hush. It would have been discussed by other members of the club.

"I didn't know I'd won it until I was presented with the medal. I was very excited to win the award, I feel very proud."

Belarus, was one of the territories affected by the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster in 1986.

Since Mr Riley became involved with the charity. Chernobyl 2000, he has driven over to Belarus three times with a convoy of lorries to deliver humanitarian aid to people living there.

Mr Riley said: "In Belarus they have not got any basic supplies and the centre is derelict because of the explosion. They can't grow food and unemployment is tremendously high. We take soap, toothbrushes, and we take clothing because it gets cold - minus 30. We feel quite humble when we see the way people have to live."

Anyone who would be interested in donating money to Chernobyl 2000, or in voluntary work should ring Mr Riley on 01386 853831, or Mike Worton on 01386 710183.