Five South Pembrokeshire men have been celebrating recognition in the New Year's Honours List.

Alan Thomas, Don Griffiths, John Brock, John Evans and Henry Johnston have all been awarded MBEs for their work in completely different fields.

Coxswain of Tenby Lifeboat, Alan Thomas, has been recognised for services to the RNLI.

A longstanding member of the lifeboat crew, Mr. Thomas, of St. Julian's Terrace, followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps when he volunteered to join the crew 37 years ago.

Fifty-three-year-old Mr. Thomas, a popular character at the Harbour from where he skippers the boat that runs between Tenby and Caldey Island, has been the coxswain for 21 years, a position his father also held.

Now Mr. Thomas's children, Daniel, William and Julie, are carrying on the long association with the RNLI as crew members, along with his brother, Clive and nephew, Peter

Mr. Thomas said being given the MBE was a 'great honour'.

Also looking forward to a trip to Buckingham Palace, is 78-year-old Don Griffiths, of Vine Cottage, St. Mary Street, who was very pleased, yet shocked and surprised to receive a letter informing him he was to be honoured for 43 years service to the town's Air Training Corps.

In 1941, at the age of 14, Mr. Griffiths was a founder member of the 1284 Squadron.

He went on to join the RAF at the age of 18, before returning to Tenby.

Then, in 1961, when his son, David, joined the squadron, Mr. Griffiths, who is married to Muriel, became involved again, joining the civilian committee.

A former Pembroke Power Station welder, Mr. Griffiths was secretary for 30 years, before being appointed chairman 13 years ago.

Mr. Griffiths's son David and daughter-in-law Penny are also still involved in the group and David the current commanding officer.

"For a small town like Tenby, we have got a very good squadron and we have been noted by headquarters for being one of the best," said Mr. Griffiths.

"I never expected this, but the award is not just for me, it is a credit to the whole squadron."

Also receiving an honour is John Brock, of Milton Bakery, Milton, who receives recognition for services to education and the community of Pembrokeshire.

Current chairman of governors at Sageston CP School, Mr. Brock's association with the school began in 1961, when the first of his five children commenced education there.

In 1968, as a serving member of Carew Community Council, which he has been a member of for the past 47 years, Mr. Brock was delighted to be appointed a governor of the school. He became chairman 15 years ago.

A stalwart member of Carew Wesley Methodist Chapel, where he is secretary, youth club leader and Sunday School superintendent, Mr. Brock has many other involvements in the area, including the Cresselly and District branch of the Royal British Legion, the Village Association and PLANED.

"This award is not just for John Brock, it is for the wonderful community of Carew, which I am privileged to belong to and am just a figurehead for," he said.

Other county honours went to John Evans, of Saundersfoot, and Henry Johnson from Pembroke Dock.

Vice-president of operations for Thomson Set Top Box division in Llantrisant, Mr. Evans was honoured for his services to the Welsh electronics industry.

Born in Merthyr, Mr. Evans attended school at Cyfarthfa and started his career with Hoover Ltd. as a student apprentice, before studying at the University of Wales in Cardiff.

He later developed his career at Standard Telephones and Cables in Treforest, before going on to be involved in three 'Green field start-ups' at the Panasonic TV factory in Cardiff, the Star Micronics computer printer factory in Tredegar and the Grundig Set Top Box factory in Llantrisant.

Mr. Evans, who recently moved to Ridgeway Meadow, Saundersfoot, is currently responsible for a number of Set Top Box facilities around the world and manages factories in France, Brazil, Mexico and the Far East.

Married to Lynda for almost 30 years, he has two daughters, 27-year-old Sarah and Rhiann, who is 25.

Mr. Evans said: "I humbly accept this award on behalf of all the staff, managers and colleagues who I have had the privilege to work with in the various enterprises I have been involved. "

Mr. Johnston, of 31 Devonshire Road, Llanion, meanwhile, was recognised for services to carers in Wales and the community of Pembrokeshire.

A former pupil of the old Narberth Grammar School and a well-known local chorister, Mr. Johnston and his first wife Jean retired to the area in 1986. Mrs. Johnston wanted to set-up a specialist respite care home at The Priory, St. David's, and they were in the process of purchasing it when she died in 1988.

In addition, Mrs. Johnston started the Dyfed branch of the National Carers' Association and was also trying to set up the Crossroads Scheme in Pembrokeshire.

Mr. Johnston, a member and treasurer of the Pembroke Male Voice Choir, carried on her work and became chairman of the Carers' Association and Pembrokeshire Crossroads. He stood down from the latter last year and is now the group's president. He was also chairman of Crossroads Wales for three years and is currently vice-president of Pembrokeshire Carers Outreach.