AN RAF veteran from Sherfield-on-Loddon is set to receive a gong after being named in the New Year Honours List.

Percy Iles, known as Pip, 78, was honoured as a medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for his services to RAF veterans and the community in Basingstoke.

Mr Iles comes as one of 318 medallists to receive the BEM across the UK, in the list which was published on Saturday, 30 December.

Mr Iles said: “I am very humbled to receive the award, I came from a lowly start in life in a tiny village down in Berkshire and came up through the RAF and to achieve this is so unbelievable.”

The 78-year-old had a career spanning 28 years in the RAF and said he has had a successful civilian career serving RAF veterans and in other community roles.

He added: “This goes to show that people are keeping an eye on what you do, and it doesn’t go unrecognised, I am delighted and can’t tell you how much this means.

“I have a very understanding wife, Eileen, who has supported me through it; you have to have their support and my wife has been brilliant.

“It’s going to be quite a busy year, with the ceremony and because it is the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force.”

In 2016, Mr Iles was also honoured with a mayoral award by Basingstoke and Deane’s then outgoing mayor, Councillor Anne Court, who recognised him with an award for his work with the Royal Air Forces Association Basingstoke and the Royal British Legion, providing care and support for serving members and veterans.

Speaking about the mayoral award, Mr Iles said: “I’m so proud of the mayoral award because it was another way my work was recognised, and it was such an honour.”

This year, the New Year Honours list announced awards for a total of 1,123 people including 318 for a BEM, 452 an MBE and 211 for an OBE.

James Lewis West, who was formerly head of product assurance at AWE Aldermaston was one of those who is set an OBE for services to nuclear safety in this year’s list.

Nearly 30 people from Hampshire were honoured, including from Southampton, Winchester, Alton and Romsey.

Famous names who received awards included author Michael Morpurgo, musician Ringo Starr, dancer Darcey Bussell, and hiphop artist Wiley.