A DEDICATED councillor has been awarded an MBE for his services to Woodley and Wokingham borough.

Having worked as a Woodley councillor for 12 years, cllr Keith Baker made the Queen's Honours List for on Friday, June 7, and described it as 'a great honour'.

Speaking about the achievement, he said: "I felt incredibly honoured, especially when I looked at the number of people who had made the honours list.

"Only 18 people in Berkshire had, and just under 1,100 people in total.

"Then, after looking at the names on the list, I just felt very humbled."

Keith has lived in the area with his wife for nearly 20 years, and has been involved in with the community in several different ways.

He has also been governor of Addington Special School for more than 10 years, and has a love of theatre.

A previous chairman of Woodley Light Operatic society, he has worked backstage for 20 years.

He also assists at local theatre group, Starmaker Theatre Company, which award-winning actress Kate Winslet attended.

Throughout his career on the council, cllr Baker has been executive member for highways, executive member for planning, chairman of the scrutiny and management committee and chief whip of the Wokingham Borough Conservatives.

He said: "What I do is not with the objective of receiving any award, I do it because I want to give things back into the community which has given so much to me."

Speaking about his career, he said: "Working on behalf of the residents of Woodley is the most interesting and enjoyable job I have ever had, it has been fantastic fun."

The Queen's Honours list was announced last week, and many deserving people from across the UK were delighted to have achieved the accolade.

Read more: Reading woman awarded MBE.