A CEREMONY has been held to present a community stalwart with his British Empire Medal.

Lord Lieutenant Sue Snowdon honoured Neil Moffett with the award at The Grove Methodist Church, near Consett, County Durham, on Saturday.

The 47-year-old was honoured for his dedicated community work when the Queen’s birthday honours were announced in June.

But the official presentation was just made at the weekend.

Mr Moffett said: “There was quite a good crowd and afterwards we had coffee and cakes. The Lord Lieutenant for quite a while and spoke to everyone there. She was a really, really nice woman.”

Mr Moffett joined the Boys Brigade aged seven, and became a BB Leader at 16.

Thirty years on, he continues to work tirelessly on weekly and weekend events and games for children.

He is an active member of his church as a lay preacher, and works as a child care co-ordinator with Churches Together in Derwentside, organising events for families in the community.

Mr Moffett supports the Salvation Army, plays in the band as well as Consett Brass, fundraising for local charities by playing in supermarkets and other local venues.

He also supports the food parcel appeal, as well as the Christmas Toy Appeal for the most deprived and vulnerable.

He Mr Moffett, who works as an advisor for Job Centre Plus, said: “I am not one to stand up and shout from the roof tops but it was really nice.”