A VOLUNTEER who has spent 22 years helping visually impaired people in Romania has been honoured by the Queen for his work.

Stan Platt received an OBE for his voluntary work abroad.

Mr Platt, president of the foundation Light into Europe, first visited Romania in 1990 on an air ambulance mission.

He saw how little help was available for visually impaired people and moved there permanently to do what he could to help.

Mr Platt, who still owns Harwoods department store in Frinton, said: “It is a great honour to be bestowed such a prodigious award. It was a great surprise.

“I was speechless when I heard about it. It is an honour I would like to dedicate to the team at Light into Europe.”

He added: “I love Romania and its people and have tried to use my knowledge to help wherever I can.

“Until two years ago, Romania had no guide dogs for the blind, compared to Britain where there are 5,000. We now have one working guide dog and ten puppies, which we are training to become the first generation of Romanian guide dogs as part of our work.

“To see things improving and knowing we are a big part of it, as well as being recognised for it, is a great feeling.”

A campaigner has been awarded an OBE for services to disabled people.

Michael Adams, 41, has been chief executive of Essex Coalition of Disabled People for five years.

He was “absolutely shocked” but delighted when told he had been given the award in the Queen’s birthday honours list.