One of the leading lights of the Sidmouth community has been recognised in the New Year Honours List.

Ian Skinner, 86, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in Sidmouth and the Sid Valley.

The award recognises the huge amount of unpaid voluntary work he has done for a wide range of local organisations since he and his wife moved to Sidmouth in 1977. He joined the Sidmouth Lions Club in 1986 and has served as its president eight times; in 2010 he received a Melvin Jones Fellowship, one of Lions Clubs International's highest awards, in recognition of his exceptional record of charity and community service work.

In 2012 he was invited to a royal Diamond Jubilee garden party at Exeter Cathedral, after being nominated by the town council as an 'unsung hero' who had demonstrated selfless service during the Queen’s 60-year reign.

He was also awarded Sidmouth Citizen of the year for 2017 by the Rotary Club.

Ian has been involved with many local organisations and campaigns over the years. Between 2011 and 2013 he was a member of the voluntary committee campaigning for the retention of services for people suffering with dementia at Stowford Lodge. He instigated the setting up of the Sid Valley Food Bank in November 2012, was its chairman until 2015 and continued as a volunteer and trustee until last year.

He was editor of the Sid Vale and Eastern Devon Talking Newspaper between 2018 and 2023, and volunteered as a minibus driver transporting elderly people to Twyford House for lunch.

In addition to his work as an individual, he chaired the Lions' welfare/charity committee at various times, establishing contacts with local charities and other good causes which would then be helped by the Lions Club.

Throughout this time Ian has been supported in his many activities by his wife Ann. The couple celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on January 2.

Reacting to his BEM, Ian told the Herald: "I am very humbled by the award and would not have been able to achieve the support to the citizens without the dedication and commitment of the many volunteers who worked with me."