A RECENTLY retired Army officer who was brought up in Stourport was awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours.

Julian Knowles, who served in the Irish Guards for 35 years, is a former pupil of Stourport High School and his parents still live in the town.

The 55-year-old father of two grown-up daughters is currently working for the MoD in Germany.

During a four-year spell training the Sultan of Oman's army, he learned to speak Arabic fluently.

He put that language skill to good use in Iraq 18 months ago, appearing on television and radio speaking to farmers and sharing tea with their families in the campaign to win hearts and minds in the wake of the Allied invasion.

Mr Knowles was with what is now Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue, before joining the Irish Guards when he was 20.

He worked his way through the ranks, starting as a private and eventually becoming a major.

Mr Knowles's father, Geoff, who lives in Lickhill Road, with Julian's mother, Judith, said he felt "very proud" of his son's MBE award.

"I think it's a very nice end to a career. He has been very proud to be in the British Army and serve in the Irish Guards."