A VILLAGE near Petersfield is celebrating after a great-grandfather who has spent most of his long life serving his community has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List.

Albert Bleach, who is 93 this month and is known as 'Bert' in Nyewood, the village where he was born and brought up, said the award was "a big honour".

"I never expected it," said Mr Bleach on New Year's Eve.

Married for 66 years, Mr Bleach has dedicated himself to the community and still plays an active part in village life.

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.