A celebration of the British Empire Medal (BEM) was held recently as three worthy Pembrokeshire recipients were presented with the honour.

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards, presented BEM to Mrs Maureen Butler, Mrs Jennifer Mountstephens and Dr John O’Connor at a ceremony with friends and family.

The British Empire Medal is awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. It rewards a sustained, local contribution or innovative, high-impact work.

Mrs Butler receives the British Empire Medal for services to people with disabilities, to young people and to charity.

A Welfare administrator for 14 Signal regiment, Mrs Mountstephens receives the British Empire Medal for services to service personnel and the community in Brawdy.

Dr O’Connor, Director of Angling Cymru, receives the British Empire Medal for services to recreational angling in Wales.

He has campaigned to keep Pembrokeshire's coast free of lost or discarded fishing tackle which can entangle crustaceans, birds and seals as well as damage habitats.

Dr O'Connor from Narberth, was once named World Animal Protection's Sea Change Champion, after working closely with Neptune's Army of Rubbish Cleaners, external (NARC), whose volunteer divers regularly clear Pembrokeshire sea beds of marine litter.

The Lord-Lieutenant said: “It was an honour and an enormous pleasure to meet such remarkable people and present the BEM medals on behalf of His Majesty The King.

“Their work for the Pembrokeshire community is an inspiration to us all.”

Friends and family of the recipients joined Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen for the event in the Council Chamber, County Hall on November 17, along with Deputy Chairman Cllr Delme Harries and High Sherriff of Dyfed Mrs Ann Jones.

Assisting the Lord-Lieutenant for the ceremony were Pembrokeshire Lord-Lieutenant Cadets Richard Davies and Aeron James.