A FORMER chief commander of St John Ambulance from Llancloudy has been appointed MBE in the New Years Honours list.

David Williams will add the award to a portfolio of accolades from a remarkable career both as a fire service employee and as a dedicated volunteer to the service.

Before retiring as Chief Fire Officer for South Wales in 2000 to devote his time to St John, he had already received a Queen's Fire Service Award for distinguished service in 1993 and was awarded the highest honour available from St John with a Knight of the Order of St John in 2002.

He retired from his voluntary position running the Welsh branch of St John in June 2007.

The 62-year-old now has to find time between his other commitments as a trustee of charity Home-Start, St Weonard's Church warden and choir member and his involvement with the Three Choirs Festival to visit Buckingham Palace and collect his award.