A man living in Hampshire has been awarded a BEM for his outstanding work for the community.

Dane Royston Bevis Oliver, 85, of Longstock was nominated as a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire on the King's Birthday Honours List.

Mr Oliver was first contacted by the Cabinet Office around two weeks ago as the government department wanted to check the information they had about him.

READ MORE: King’s Birthday Honours: The 21 Hampshire heroes recognised

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Commenting on the phone call, Mr Oliver said: "It was a bit of a surprise, wasn’t it?"

“My first reaction was to say no. But then my wife said that would be an insult to all the people I have worked with over the years."

Mr Oliver is particularly fond of his community, which he says is held together by a strong community spirit.

“Longstock is one of those archetypal Hampshire villages that’s full of people who help each other," he said.

“I started a youth club in 1980 called the Mayflies and it’s one of those organisations with people from all walks of life. It’s seen as a bonding agent for the whole village.”

SEE MORE: Alan Bates, Gordon Brown and Tracey Emin headline in King’s Birthday Honours

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Aside from the Mayflies, Mr Oliver has worked for the Hampshire County Council, organising outdoor sports events. He also participates in excursions for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme.

He was also governor of Stockbridge Primary School for 20 years and volunteered there for the same length of time as a minibus driver.

Mr Oliver initially had misgivings about accepting the award because he is "too humble", as his wife puts it.

He has, however, been overwhelmed by the positive emails that have flooded his inbox from members of the community.

He said: “I’ll tell you what’s nice – this is totally against my whole being to be put forward for something like this – but I must have had 40 or 50 responses from the villagers saying well done, you deserve it.

“I’ve had emails from people who are now adults who were kids when we started.”

Also honoured in the Winchester area was Valerie Mary Etteridge of Otterbourne, for services to the community.

The other Hampshire people awarded were Graham Andrew Chipchase of Basingstoke, Professor Peter Moir Guthrie OBE FREng of Basingstoke, Professor Rachel Ann Mills of Southampton, Dr Alison Vincent FREng of Southampton, Commander (Rtd) Gary Robert Bushell RN, Southsea, Janet Lewis of Winchester, Camilla Anne Oldland of Newbury, Hugh Richard Oliver-Bellasis of Tadley, Jessamy Rachel Baird of Whitchurch, David André Happy of Alresford, Nicola Jane Iles of Winchester, Gillian Kiy of Basingstoke, Linzi Melanie Neal of Basingstoke, Richard Douglas Osborne of Waterlooville, John David Pearce of Portsmouth, Julie Kay Duffy of Portsmouth, Valerie Mary Etteridge of Otterbourne, Paul Kevin Francis of Southampton, Jannette Mary Balgarnie McElarney of Fleet and Colin David Oliphant of Southampton.