Ref. 28459-39A MILKMAN who has been delivering neighbourly help as well as milk for the past 38 years has been rewarded with an MBE.

Nigel Crocker was named in the New Year's Honours list for services to the community of Broad Town, where he has lived all his life.

The 61-year-old said the award had taken him by surprise.

But residents of the village, near Wootton Bassett, said it was well deserved.

As well as providing for all of Broad Town's dairy needs, self-employed Nigel helps out in the village in every way he can.

"Being a milkman involves looking after the community in itself, but I also chat a lot to people and make it a point to call in on them and make sure they are all right," he said.

"This might involve helping elderly people back into bed when they have fallen out, delivering things or doing shopping for them."

Cutting lawns, keeping an eye on people's properties when they go away, doing odd jobs and fixing things are all part of his daily routine.

"It's much more than a milk round," said Nigel, who gets up at three o'clock every morning six days a week to serve his 500 customers in Broad Town and Wootton Bassett.

"I've been doing it for so long they're not only my customers but my friends and if there's anything I can do for them I'm grateful to do it. I just like to help people."

Nigel is a parish councillor and as the chairman of the village hall committee has helped organise the Broad Town village show for several years, which raises about £2,000 each year for the local church, school, playgroup and Women's Institute.

Nigel is modest about his award, but said he readily agreed to accept the honour and is hoping to meet the Queen.

"One doesn't set out to receive any reward or anything in life," he said.

"You do what you think you need to do and as much as you can for the community.

"I never really considered what I do as worthy of a reward.

"I'm in a position to help people in the community and that's what I do.

"In today's society people don't do very much for each other so I suppose if someone does do something it's recognised."

Nigel, who lives with his wife Ann and has two stepchildren, has taken only 12 days off from his milk round in 38 years. His last day off was back in 1988.

Broad Town resident Roy Davey, 69, said: "Like all villages there are a few people doing good and Nigel is one of them."

Jack Richardson, 36, the director of a furniture shop, said: "He's always doing stuff for the community. He's so busy I don't think he has a spare moment.

"And he always does it with a smile."

Andy Tate