DROITWICH Spa's cricket hero Ashley Giles topped off a great year by being awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List.

Warwickshire spin bowler Ashley Giles, who helped guide the England team to a historic 2-1 victory over Australia to win the Ashes, received the award for services to cricket, along with his team mates.

The honour is Ashley's second major award after town mayor Richard Morris named him as an Honorary Citizen of Droitwich in October after he helped wrestle back the historic Ashes urn for the first time in 18 years.

Ashley moved to Droitwich Spa in 1999 following visits to the town's knee clinic. He met his wife and has since raised his children in the town he now calls home.

Despite being targeted by the Australian team as the weak link of the England side, Ashley went on to justify his selection with steady bowling and scoring a memorable 59 runs during a series winning partnership of 109 at the Oval with fellow Ashes hero Kevin Pietersen.

Before the famous series former Australian bowler Terry Alderman said: "I definitely believe if any of our batsmen get out to Ashley Giles in the Tests they should go and hang themselves. But I am confident that won't happen."

Ashley managed to take a total of ten wickets during the series and played a key role in restricting a highly rated Australian batting order.

Town mayor Richard Morris: "It is excellent and very well deserved. I am glad that we also recognised the achievement in the town.

"I think we are all very proud of him, he has helped to put Droitwich Spa on the map and it is great he has been honoured further."

Other awards for England's Ashes-winning cricketers see OBEs going to captain Michael Vaughan, coach Duncan Fletcher and chairman of selectors David Graveney.