A volunteer counsellor from Bellsmyre and an ex-cop from Dumbarton have been honoured by the Queen for their service to the community.

Volunteers Mary Burch and Willie Crowe were among those listed in the Queen’s 2016 New Year’s Honours list, and have now received their honours before family and area officials.

Lord Lieutenant for Dunbartonshire, Michael Gregory OBE, presented Mary, Willie and George with their Medals at a special investiture ceremony at Clydebank Town Hall, followed by a civic reception.

Mary, who lives in Bellsmyre, received her honour for voluntary service in Dunbartonshire. She gives her time to several local groups, including Dumbarton Area Council on Alcohol (DACA), domestic abuse support group Challenging and Reporting Abuse (CARA), armed forces charity SAAFA and the Skylark IX Recovery Group, while also volunteering as an officer with Bonhill Boys’ Brigade.

She said: "The excitement of it all has been building since January when the New Year’s Honours list was announced, and it has only now become real. The ceremony was absolutely wonderful – it’s a wonderful memory and one I will never forget. I never imagined a BEM for a wee lassie from Bonhill."

Ex-policeman Willie received his BEM for services to the community and children’s charities in Dumbarton, having raised around £100,000 for charities including CHAS and Mary’s Meals through overseas treks, abseils, fire walks and race nights.

He said: "It was a great day to get all the family together and one of the proudest days of my life."

A third West Dunbartonshire resident Royal Navy reservist George Troup received his Medal for his 50 years of service to the Sea Cadets and to the community of Clydebank.