CHRIS March will receive the British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours for his services to Warminster.

Mr March came to the town in 1982 having managed the export department of a book supplier. He then became the longest serving councillor after joining the old district council in 1987 and the town council in 1995, before becoming mayor in 2001-2002.

He has also carried out extensive work for the Royal British Legion and Macmillan Cancer Support and is a keen supporter of local youth and community services.

Mr March has been a governor of Kingdown School for 20 years as well as a trustee of the Athenaeum Theatre.