A long-serving parish and district councillor has been recognised in the New Year Honours List.

Richard Morgan, a former chairman of Epping Forest District Council, has been made an MBE.

Currently the representative of the Hastingwood, Matching and Sheering Village ward, Cllr Morgan was first elected to the district council in May 1983.

A retired magistrate, he continues to be involved with court work and is also a member of the Stansted Airport Community Trust.

His colleague Stephen Murray said: “My warmest congratulations to my fellow district councillor Richard Morgan. This honour is very richly deserved.

“Being elected the year before Richard means I have been able to witness the whole of his 37 years as a district councillor from a first- hand perspective.

“His council and community contribution have been immense and this MBE is very richly deserved.”

More than 1,000 people have been chosen to receive their respective awards from Queen Elizabeth II or another member of the Royal Family.