A group has been set up to try and unearth more ‘unsung heroes’ to be put forward for national honours such as MBEs.

Sir Henry Aubrey Fletcher, the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, has established an ‘honours committee’ to find a broader range of worthy winners from across the county.

The group is inviting residents, voluntary groups, community organisations and businesses to put forward they consider should be honoured.

Committee chairman Alexander Boswell said with around 60,000 volunteers serving in almost 4,000 voluntary and community organisations, he was sure Bucks has more than its fair share of people who deserve recognition.

He said:“'Of course, it’s natural to honour celebrities, but there are many people locally who give unstinting service.

'We want to see many more people at local level, reflecting the diversity of our communities, getting the recognition they deserve.”

Regional honours have traditionally come in the form of an OBE or MBE, but the committee is encouraging nominations for the British Empire Medal (BEM), recently reinstated by the Queen, for those who have excelled with hands-on work in their local community.

Mr Boswell said: 'Now it's possible to honour the people who previously slipped under the honours radar.

“We want to hear from local groups about their unsung heroes - people who have spent their lives working for the good of the community and have brought about change for the benefit of others.”

Earlier this year five residents were honoured with the BEM for their outstanding voluntary community work: Margaret Dykes and Tony Hoare, of Chalfont St Giles, Valerie McPherson, of Longwick, Lesley Turner, of Wooburn Green, and Sally Williams, of Bourne End.

And in the recent Queen's Birthday Honours two residents were given MBEs: Sally Ash, of Beaconsfield, for her lifetime contribution as a volunteer to Britain's inland waterways, and John Wilson, of High Wycombe, for services to boxing, young people and charity in Marlow.

Two residents received the BEM for their outstanding voluntary community work: Jean Peasley, of Bourne End, and Philip Smith, of Newport Pagnell.

More information about nominating your unsung hero: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/about-your-council/council-structure/lord-lieutenant/