THE former head of personnel at Swindon's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council is celebrating being made an MBE.

John Philcox, 55, lives in The Mews, Lydiard Millicent, with wife Christine, 55, a teaching support assistant at St Mary's School in Purton.

The couple have two children, trainee accountant Simon, 23, and 21-year-old Mark, an administrator with a playground equipment company.

The research council is the leading Government funding body for research into engineering and the sciences.

Mr Philcox found out about his honour about two months ago, and has had to keep the information from all but closest family ever since.

He said: "A letter came from Downing Street, in the most incredibly convoluted language.

"I see it as a great honour, and I'm very proud that they considered me worthy of it."

He worked for the EPSRC and its predecessor organisations for almost 40 years almost since leaving school at 16.

His first position was with the Royal Greenwich Observatory, which he joined in 1964, several years after it moved to Sussex to escape the London smog.

Mr Philcox said: "Its role was to do astronomical research. I joined as a sort of stores clerk."

Various promotions followed among his career highlights were two visits to a British observatory in the Canary Islands.

His roles over the years included everything from overseeing security to handling the administrative side of his department's move from London to its then new headquarters at Polaris House in Swindon's North Star.

He rose to become head of personnel prior to his retirement.

He said: "I'm now planning on watching a lot of cricket, and I also like doing DIY, so I'll try to improve my skills at that.

"I'm just looking forward to having a very chilled few months."

Another new MBE with a Swindon connection is Chippenham - based Mohammad Arju Miah. The citation for his honour mentions his long service to community relations in Swindon.

Meanwhile Clare Evans, a disabled woman who lives near Calne, was made an MBE for her services to disabled people and the Wiltshire and Swindon Users Network.

Mrs Evans, 57, who uses a wheelchair due to her rheumatoid arthritis, founded WSUN in 1991 and was its first Director.

She said: "As a disabled person I learnt how important it was to have the professionals who provided my care and listened to me about what I needed."