A MID Wales man has been awarded a British Empire Medal  (BEM) for his services to charity and the community.

Roy Palmer of Woodlands, Llandrindod Wells  has over the years been actively involved with the Bracken Trust, the Llandrindod Wells Leg Club, Holy Trinity Church and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

A retired factory owner, Roy has a great love of trains and his garden.

He was nominated for the Queen’s Birthday Honours by his daughter Wendy and has been supported over the years by his wife Ros.

Mr Palmer said he would not be able to do so much if it was not for Ros.

“My wife is amazingly tolerant, I wouldn’t put up with me. She has been really good,” he said.

Mr Palmer has been supporting the Llandrindod Wells community for the best part of 50 years.

He said: “I just enjoy doing it.

“I am a Brummie originally, I have been here 45 years and I have nearly naturalised into the area.

“I used to be on the Chamber of Trade and the Heart of Wales Line association.

“I have been told it’s quite amazing how I find the time, especially when I was working.”

Mr Palmer was totally taken by surprise with the BEM.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

“My daughter did it for me, she got together people I have been working with and wrote to the necessary people.

“She was the one motivating it and I was quite humbled. I am a bit of a royalist so it was quite nice to find out.”

Aside from his varying charity work, Mr Palmer also manages to find time to fit in his many hobbies that include gardening, train spotting, walking and cycling.