A dedicated Neighbourhood Watch volunteer from Longwick has been rewarded for her efforts with an award in the New Years Honours list.

Valerie McPherson, known as Val, was awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to policing and community safety.

Mrs McPherson is chair of the Regional Thames Valley Neighbourhood Watch Association and has tirelessly volunteered for the Neighbourhood Watch for 32 years.

Her work includes overseeing 11,500 co-ordinators in the Thames Valley and is area co-ordinator for Longwick, Owlswick, Ilmer and Little Meadle.

She also uses the Thames Valley Neighbourhood Alert system to keep residents informed of any crime in the area and organises the annual general meeting for the Thames Valley region.

Mrs McPherson, a mother of two grown-up daughters who moved to Longwick in 2001, told of her honour at being awarded the prestigious BEM.

She said: “It feels absolutely amazing. I was so shocked and so taken aback that someone had put me forward to receive the award. I'm still dealing with all the congratulation texts, calls and Facebook messages!

“I'm so amazed, delighted and honoured to be receiving the award. It’s very exciting and I'm over the moon.”

Mrs McPherson told the Bucks Free Press how she was “bubbling over with excitement” when she found out she would be given the award, but had to keep it a secret.

“I got a letter in November telling me I would get the award and I've had to keep it a secret until December 30. It was very difficult to keep it quiet, the only person who knew was my husband, I didn’t even tell my daughters until Christmas day!”

Val started her first Neighbourhood Watch in Luton after recalling memories of her family home being burgled.

“My Neighbourhood Watch in Luton started with one street and we turned it into an area watch which covered 30,000 houses.

“I remember when I was seven I came back from holiday and we had been burgled. They had even stolen money from my piggy bank, it was really quite upsetting.”

Mrs McPherson is passionate about trying to prevent crime, particularly cyber crime and burglary, especially when it affects elderly people.

She said: “It’s despicable, they don’t realise the heartache they can cause when they burgle people’s homes, particularly elderly people.”

Mrs McPherson hopes her award will help give credit to the work that Neighbourhood Watch members do around the country.

“This award is in recognition of all that Neighbourhood Watch does and I hope it raises awareness of what volunteers do. Neighbourhood Watch brings communities together and get’s people talking about important issues, I'm so glad it’s been recognised through this award.”