A dedicated councillor who has devoted 38 years to Maldon and the rural villages has been awarded an MBE.

Robert Long, 84, has been given royal recognition in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.

Mr Long has served as a Tolleshunt Knights parish councillor since the 1980s and has been recognised for his services to the community in Maldon.

He joined Maldon District Council as an officer in 1947 where he was responsible for press and public relations and tourism and information services.

Mr Long also acted as the council’s official spokesman.

During his time as an officer he designed a new council chamber and designed the council’s grant of arms.

Having taken early retirement he was elected as a Maldon District Councillor in 1992 and during the 23 years he served as a councillor he was deputy leader for four years and acted as vice chairman and chairman of the council.

Mr Long said he was shocked to have been recognised with the award.

He said: “It is an honour as it always is when you get a reward like this.

“I am honoured to have received the award for my work with the council as both an officer and a member.

“I came here from London in a public relations capacity, coming to an area like this in the early days after the Bains report, the press were a little bit unhappy with councils.

“I managed to bridge the gap and work very closely with the press. I built up a nice rapport with the press.”

Mr Long, of D’Arcy Road, Tolleshunt Knights, lives with his wife Patricia. The couple have three children, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

While chairman of the district council in 2010 he organised the Queen’s visit to the town, taking her on a 25 minute walk followed by lunch.

Mr Long says this is his proudest moment as a councillor.

He said: “The highlight of my life as a councillor was receiving the Queen in Maldon in 2010, escorting her down the High Street and sitting beside her at the co-hosted lunch. Plus a fascinating conversation never to be forgotten.”

Mr Long continues to be an essayist and writer of articles and books about Maldon and the district, devoting much of his spare time to talks and presentations and increasing public awareness of this rural, maritime, historic community.

In 2012 he designed new Town of Maldon road signs which were finally installed in 2016.