A MUCH-LOVED community activist, who has devoted decades of his life to helping young and old people in his home town, has been awarded the British Empire Medal.

Stanley Peverley, 81, has worked with Redcar Youth Club for 30 years and has also been an active member of the West Redcar Pensioners Association and many other groups to help old people for many years.

He was recommended for the honour by Redcar and Cleveland borough councillor Brenda Forster who said the news had “made my Christmas.”

“Everybody loves him,” she said.

“He’s really a lovely person. He’s been so active in so many ways. He’s been an active member of the Royal British Legion and I know he fought for years for the rights of soldiers who were involved in nuclear testing on Easter Island. I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Mr Peverley’s wife, Anne, explained her husband was poorly, but stressed her husband had received the honour for his work helping pensioners and young people in particular.

The couple have two children, eight grand-children and two great grand-children.

Mr Pevereley served in the Royal Air Force for 12 years and then worked as a tanker driver for 54 years.