Fenland community stalwarts given Queen's Birthday Honours

A veterans' charity leader and a scout leader who has served Fenland for more than half a century are among those to be recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Norman Larke, who chairs the Chatteris branch of the Royal British Legion, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his work with former servicemen and women in Cambridgeshire.

The award, which has been announced tonight, comes just a day after the branch played a leading role in the town's commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

There is also a BEM for Brian Sleight in recognition of his contribution to the Scouts and community in Wisbech, Spalding and Fleet.

And the former chief constable of Cambridgeshire Police, Alec Wood, has been awarded the Queen's Police Medal.

Mr Wood retired in September last year after a 32-year career in the police service, which included five in the chief's role.