Last month, at a meeting of Caterham-on-the-Hill Parish Council, local resident Peter McNeil was awarded 'Citizen of the Year' and presented with a special tankard for his work in the community.

Originally from Manchester, Peter was stationed at Caterham Barracks from 1948 when he was in the Irish Guards and decided to settle in Caterham when he left the army in 1953.

Peter is an active member of the Caterham branch of the Royal British Legion and Ex- Servicemen's Club and as a welfare caseworker, Peter offers practical help and financial assistance to ex-service personnel.

After receiving his award Peter said: "I was surprised and a bit embarrassed - I thought Jeremy Beadle was going to jump out at any moment! "I would like to add that I was given a lot of support by my first wife Kay and now by my partner, Barbara."