A FORMER Bromsgrove businessman has been recognised for his dedication to a county club by being awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

Sixty-four-year-old Lionel Hill, who lived in Yarnold Lane, Bournheath, for more than 40 years and used to own Hills Hire firm in Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, was honoured after nearly 50 years service with the Young Farmers Club (YFC) in Worcestershire and across the country.

He is past president of Worcestershire Federation of Young Farmers' Club and is currently president of the West Midlands area of the Young Farmers' Club.

and one of six national deputy presidents.

Mr Hill, who is also the chairman of the Trustees for Worcestershire Federation of Young Farmers' Club's building project said: "The foot and mouth crisis took an absolutely disastrous toll on YFC and it will take a lot of hard work to get it back on track after every club was closed down for several months.

"We are determined to see it thriving again and become the fantastic organisation it was before.

"The MBE is not just for me, it is for everybody involved in the movement, members past and present.

"It is great recognition for everyone who has put so much in to the young farmers movement."

Pic to come from Redditch