ANDOVER'S Alan Smith has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list announced at the weekend.
The award has been given to mark his services to water resource management.
Mr Smith, who is also a borough councillor, has been working in the water industry for the past 13 years.
"I was very surprised, shocked and honoured when I received the letter from the Prime Minister's office saying I had been awarded an MBE subject to approval by the Queen," he said.
Much of his work involves the licensing of water abstraction but when the chalk ground water levels around Andover rise in periods of prolonged wet weather he is heavily involved in the work to monitor the situation.
He is also known for his act of bravery in rescuing a child from a raging stream two years ago.
"The child was hanging on to a branch over the River Wallington in Fareham," said Alan.
"I waded into the river to pull him out.
"He was only 13 and I don't think he would have survived the current in the fast flowing river."
But even though the rescue may well have played a part in his award Mr Smith is no stranger to danger as he served with the Hampshire Constabulary for 30 years.
"In that time I faced a number of difficult situations and was shot at, stabbed and run over and injured at a road block," he said.
"All I received for that was a long service and good conduct medal."
The environment Agency nominated Alan Smith. Alan's team leader at the agency, Rod Murchie, said: "I think it is brilliant news.
"Alan is involved in the job of keeping abstraction of water under control and balancing the needs of the environment with the needs of people - both are very important in an area like Hampshire which has more sites of special scientific interest than anywhere.
"I think he has the trust of the people he deals with.
"His rescue of a child must also have played a part.
"He is the sort of character who is in the right place at the right time."
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