A politician who has served as a councillor for 50 years has received an OBE at Buckingham Palace.

Rodney Bass, 72, was given the royal recognition in the Queen’s birthday honours for his service to local government.

He was presented the award by the monarch at the palace on Friday.

Mr Bass, who retired from Essex County Council in May, has been involved in politics since 1967.

He served on Maldon District Council from 1967 to 2007 and was appointed chairman for the council twice.

He became an Essex County Councillor in 1997 serving the Heybridge and Tollesbury ward until he stepped out ahead of May’s election.

Mr Bass was also vice-chairman of the county council from 2008 to 2010 and chairman from 2010 to 2012.

He is the current Provincial Grand Master for Essex Freemasons and has also been made an honorary Alderman of Essex.

“I was delighted to have been made an OBE and it was a great honour to receive it personally from Her Majesty,” he said.

“It is wonderful for me personally, but I also see it as recognition for all my former colleagues in local government who have supported me over the last 50 years and I thank them for all their help.”