COMMUNITY stalwart Derek Elton has told of his joy at being awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours.

Mr Elton, aged 96, of Wollaston, has been given the honour for his services to Scouting and the community in Stourbridge - in particular his work with the town's charity Age Concern Stourbridge & Halesowen which he helped to found.

He said he "couldn't believe it" when he first heard he was to receive the award and he added: "I was over the moon. I was absolutely thrilled to bits."

Mr Elton first got involved with the Scouts when he joined the 1st Stourbridge St Thomas's group as a 15-year-old.

He eventually became district commissioner for Dudley West and he holds the highest honour awarded in The Scout Association - the Silver Wolf Award - which he received a few years ago.

Despite his advancing years - he is currently president of West Mercia as well as Hereford and Worcester Scout counties, and president of both Kinver Scout Camp and the Stourbridge Baden-Powell Guild.

In addition to his commitment to Scouting, he has been involved with Age Concern Stourbridge & Halesowen since its inception when it was first known as a group for 'the elderly at risk'.

He said: "Eventually we grew and grew and became Age Concern Stourbridge - then we took over the Halesowen group as well."

Although he's not too far off his centenary - Mr Elton still plays an active role with the charity of which he is president and a member of the board of directors.

Such has his influence with the organisation been - that Stourbridge's Elton Centre, which offers hot meals, advice and activities for those of advancing years, was named after him.

Dionne Legge, chief officer at the charity, said she was "thrilled and delighted" to see Mr Elton's work in the community and with The Scout Association "recognised and rewarded in such a magnificent way" and she added: “As an organisation we are all immensely pleased and proud of Derek.”

Mr Elton said he has thoroughly enjoyed being involved with both organisations "especially helping the elderly - especially at Christmas".

He is now awaiting a date to attend Buckingham Palace later in the year when he will be presented with his MBE.