Father-of-two Andrew Williamson who is managing director of the Hastoe Housing Association was awarded the OBE in the New Year Honours.

Mr Williamson, 59, and his wife Jan have lived in Avebury for eight years and have sons aged 28 and 30.

He was awarded the OBE for services to rural housing and environmental sustainability.

Mr Williamson joined the Hastoe Housing Association as its MD in 1981 having previously worked with the Nottinghill Housing Trust in West London.

Under his guidance, Hastoe has grown to be one of the best known housing associations in the South of England, providing more than 1,200 homes in an area south of a line drawn between north Wiltshire and Kings Lynn.

In Wiltshire Hastoe has provided affordable homes for families in Chilton Foliat, Aldbourne and in the west of the county.

Mr Williamson was delighted to have received the accolade and said it was a tribute to everyone at Hastoe.

He said: "We have quite a few properties in Wiltshire with rural housing schemes which are aimed at providing homes for families who cannot afford house prices in their local villages."

The Hastoe Housing Association's head offices are in Teddington in Middlesex.

Mr Williamson, who originates from Dorset, was a student at Marlborough College.