SIX Somerset community heroes have been honoured with British Empire Medals (BEM).

The Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq, presented medals to the six on behalf of the King, for their efforts volunteering in their communities.

BEMs are awarded on behalf of the monarch to recognise people who have got ‘hands-on’ to improve their community.

The six who received awards at the Bishops Palace, in Wells, were:

• Douglas Allen from Chard
• Angela Clarke from Wedmore
• Roy Gibson from Bath
• John Hardy from Bridgwater
• Elizabeth Caroline Toll from Frome
• David Addis from Long Ashton

Mr Saddiq said: “The hundreds of hours you have volunteered for your local communities shows just how much you deserve to receive these medals.

“Thank you to all of you for your time and commitment.”

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The medals were awarded to each for the following:

DOUGLAS ALLEN from Chard received his award for services to policing and the community in Somerset, having volunteered for over 50 years. Working as a Police Support Volunteer for Avon & Somerset Police, one of his achievements has been to involve the community in reducing speeding in the area.

Thanks to his efforts and those of fellow volunteers, they have created one of the best Community Speedwatch teams in the county.

ANGELA CLARKE from Wedmore received her award for services to Mental Health and to sufferers of substance misuse and trauma.

After her own violent childhood and struggles with alcohol in her early life, Angela has devoted her life to changing things for the better for adults and children.

She has set up numerous support groups including a residential rehabilitation unit in Burnham on Sea for those with serious addictions.

Angela is also the founder of the Somewhere House Somerset, which supports 70 people a week and delivers educational talks to 2000 children a year in local schools and colleges.

ROY GIBSON from Bath received his award for his services to space. Over a career spanning 70 years he has been a leader for multiple international space organisations, including the European Space Research Organisation, the European space Agency and Britain’s first National Space Centre.

He has continually championed British space capabilities on the global stage. His influence and leadership has had made a huge impact on the UK and European space policy.

JOHN HARDY from Bridgwater received his award for services as a volunteer for Blind Veterans UK.

Despite his own sight loss and physical challenges, John has worked tirelessly within the community and has been instrumental in developing the Bridgwater Community Hub.

Thanks to John’s effort the Hub now helps local charities and organisations to connect in all sorts of ways. For example he regularly cooks breakfast for dozens of attendees at the forces club and leads a team that turns surplus food into meals.

ELIZABETH CAROLINE TOLL from Frome received her award for services to unpaid carers.

She has been a volunteer with Carers UK for over two decades, raising awareness of caring and helping thousands of unpaid carers to get support in Somerset.

Elizabeth drew on her own experiences as a carer to spread the message, setting up the East Somerset Branch of Carers UK.

When that closed in 2014, she decided, age 82, to take on the role as a local Ambassador Volunteer and, now in her 90s, is still engaging with GPs and other heath professionals to raise awareness.

DAVID ADDIS from Long Ashton received his award for services to the North Somerset village.

He has lived in Long Ashton for over 45 years and has been involved in helping all aspects of village life.

He has been responsible for running the local poppy appeal, creating an outdoor memorial to those who lost their lives in WW1 and been in charge of Beacon lighting – the most recent for King Charles Coronation.

He has also opened a large workshop in his garden dedicated to repairing damaged items for homes, the church, listed building and charities.