An 87-year-old retired army officer from Lampeter has spoken of his surprise at receiving an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Colonel Michael Norman, from Cwmann, received the award for services to heritage, following a 40-year career in the military.

A founding member of the Welsh Historic Garden Trust, Colonel Norman went on to become a volunteer, director and trustee of the Penllergare Valley Woods.

There he was said to have successfully engaged the local community and councils to raise funds and prevent any potential conflicts with the many properties that surround the Victorian site.

“I am both surprised and honoured to have been made a MBE and to be recognised for my work in heritage over the years,” he said this week.