"OH blimey," said Harry Green MBE, standing in a snowy field on Bredon Hill as he heard the news he had been included in the New Year Honours.

The 66-year-old was awarded with his gong for services to Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, the body he has worked for since the 1960s.

"I've always been interested in natural history and I first belonged to the West Midlands Trust. Then that broke up into the county trusts," said Mr Green, who lives near Pershore and has held many posts in the Worcestershire organisation over the years.

He has had a particular hand in the establishment of wildlife reserves in the county.

In the 1960s there were just 12 reserves across Worcestershire - now there are between 70 and 80.

"I've seen the Trust develop from nothing at all to having quite a large headquarters at Lower Smite and 20-30 people working there," added the grandfather-of-two whose "real" job was in the pathology department at Worcester Royal Infirmary.

"It's a totally changed world and it's nice I've been involved in making that happen. And I'm still deeply involved with the Trust."

* Legal worker 'a bit stunned'

A WORCESTER man who oversaw the high-profile Jamie Bulger and Harold Shipman murder trials has been honoured with a CBE.

Roger Vincent, who now lives in Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire, started his court career in Worcester's quarter sessions court in 1962.

The 56-year-old now works as the regional circuit administrator in the north west, working for the Lord Chancellor's department.

"I was a bit stunned when I got the letter, it took a bit of time to sink in," said Mr Vincent, a former King's School pupil.

"All my friends are in the city and we still visit Worcester quite often.

"My wife Hazel ran a couple of hairdressing salons and both my sons were born there."

Mr Vincent previously worked as a clerk in the city's magistrates court and crown court before moving in 1982 to work in the Stockport office.

"I've seen some good court cases in my time, but after 38 years they all blur into one," he said.

"The two that stick in my mind are the Bulger and Shipman trials as they were quite big.

"I'm retiring at the end of March and I hope to work for the United Nations."

Mr Vincent has already worked for the UN, in Moscow with the Russian government.

* Honour for Offa's Ernie

A MALVERN man rewarded for his work on Offa's Dyke says he is "honoured" to be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Ernie Kay developed a love of the Welsh Borders during annual family holidays with his late wife Kathy, and said he became interested through courses run by Frank Noble - himself a recipient of the MBE.

Mr Kay, a local government worker in London, and his first wife were involved in the planning and campaigning from the mid-1960s for the opening of the Offa's Dyke long-distance footpath.

They helped set up the Offa's Dyke Association to front the campaign and provide information and other services to the many expected walkers.

The path was opened in 1971, and Mr Kay has written or co-authored a number of publications about the route, including the two-volume official guides as well as editing the Offa's Dyke Association Newsletter.

Mr Kay and his wife moved to the Welsh Borders in 1990 and Mr Kay, who became a widower in 1995, was the driving force behind the building of the Offa's Dyke Centre which opened in 1999.

The MBE also recognises the 69-year-old's other contributions to Welsh Border life.

In 1997 he re-married and moved to Malvern.

"Margaret is marketing officer for the Elgar Birthplace Museum and we jointly act as events secretaries for the West Midlands branch of the Elgar Society," said Mr Kay, who is also assistant secretary for Malvern Concert Club.

"I'm honoured to be appointed an MBE in the New Year Honours list."

* Theatre is recognised

AN Evesham man who founded a tiny village theatre near his home has received an MBE for his work.

James Wellman set up Theatrebarn at Bretforton Grange in 1979 after leaving London.

The theatre then had just 85 seats and has held performances from April to November ever since.

It was the fulfilment of a lifetime's ambition for former Shakespearian actor Mr Wellman and David Swift after they moved their theatre memorabilia business out of the capital in 1976.

* Ex-mayor

FORMER Evesham town councillor John Loudoun has had his work in the community recognised.

Mr Loudoun has notched up 27 years as a town councillor and is an ex-RAF Association president for Evesham.

The 79-year-old, who said he was "completely surprised" about receiving an MBE for services to the community, is also a past mayor of the town.

He is also a former district councillor.

* Society

ALSO honoured in the New Year Honours is Joan Elizabeth Laing, from Leominster.

She has been awarded an OBE for services to the Herefordshire and Worcestershire British Red Cross Society.