ADRIAN Bishop was first driven through Castle Combe by a friend more than 50 years ago.

He fell in love with the picturesque village and later moved in with his wife Brenda.

Now, after serving on the parish and district councils and running an antiques shop in the village, Mr Bishop has been made an MBE for his work in the village.

"It is a great honour. But I would prefer to think of it as an MBE for the village of Castle Combe," said Mr Bishop.

As chairman of the parish council, Mr Bishop, now 77, has worked hard to nurture tourism while also looking after the village's inhabitants.

He describes his most notable achievements as getting the tourists' car park and coach park built .

He is also responsible for the Lardy Cake Fayre, an event which brings in hundreds of visitors.

But he added: "There have also been a lot more hard-working parish councillors alongside me and along with our wives, we have all worked together."

Mr Bishop recalled: "I first saw Castle Combe when I was serving with the RAF and stationed in the Middle East. A friend drove me through here and I suppose you could say I fell in love with the place."

He and his wife Brenda moved to Castle Combe 41 years ago and opened up Combe Cottage Antique Shop shortly afterwards, which they ran until 2001.

They have a son Julian, now 42, who attended the village school before going on to King Edwards School in Bath. Julian is now a television producer for the BBC.

It wasn't until the filming of Dr Dolittle in the village in the 1960s that Mr Bishop felt moved to stand for election to the parish council.

"The film crews moved in and completely took over the village," he said.

"They had no planning permission, but took to digging up the riverside. They also closed roads and cut off the village.

"At the time, the parish council seemed overwhelmed, so I put myself forward for election.

"I didn't get in the first time, but I did the second time and I have been serving as a councillor ever since."

Mr Bishop also served on North Wiltshire District Council for 11 years.

In the years since being elected, Mr Bishop has been a driving force behind the continued success of the village.

He said: "It is a wonderful village to live in. We try to make our many visitors as welcome as possible and there have been many lovely people, coming and going over the years."

Mr Bishop said he was shocked but delighted to receive the letter from the office of the Prime Minister saying he had been nominated for an MBE. "At the same time it's a little embarrassing, but I am very much looking forward to going to the palace I'm sure it will be a very exciting occasion."

Mr Bishop added: "I have yet to find out the identities of the people who nominated me for an MBE, but when I do, I look forward to celebrating with them.

"I have enjoyed a great deal of support over the years, not least from my wife Brenda, who has also played a very important part in the village."

Mr Bishop said he intends to continue working for the parish council for the time being.

"Age is creeping on and I'm sure I'll have to hand it on eventually. But it's a wonderful and very rewarding role," he added.

Two members of staff at Swindon's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council have also been rewarded in the Queen's birthday honours.

Dr David Leech was made an OBE and Dr Peter Smith an MBE, both for services to scientific administration.

Dr David Leech joined the SRC (Science Research Council, EPSRC's predecessor) in 1977.

Since then he has worked in a number of areas including the astronomy, space and radio division and as programme manager for process engineering.

In September 2000 Dr Leech, who lives in Fairford, Gloucestershire, transferred to his current role as director of programme operations which manages all the council's peer review processes.

Dr Peter Smith joined the organisation in 1971.

Since then he has worked in a variety of areas ranging from mechanical engineering, biotechnology and materials. In July 2001 he became head of the council's science team.

Dr Smith, who lives in Uffington, Oxfordshire, retired from the EPSRC in May this year.