A GWENT voluntary worker is to be honoured for his commitment and support to a leading charity.

Blaenau Gwent councillor Desmond Hillman dedicates hundreds of hours a year to the St John Ambulance Service Cymru.

At a special ceremony next month he will be promoted to Officer Brother within the Order of St John.

Each award made by the organisation is approved by the Queen, who is Sovereign Head of the order.

Councillor Hillman, 56, joined St John Ambulance nearly a decade ago and is a committed fundraiser for this local division.

He said: "I think St John is a fantastic organisation but I realise they need help to raise money because the majority of their funding comes through private donations. That is why I feel the need to be involved and do as much as I can to help."

Councillor Hillman said Ebbw Vale had just had a new state-of-the-art ambulance which had already made a big difference to the local community.

"In a forward-looking organisation like St John you need modern equipment so that our highly-trained volunteers can deliver the best service possible."

Around 60 people of various nationalities and walks of life will be honoured at the investiture ceremony in Tenby.