A government employee has been recognised for his hard work and charity involvement in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Paul Williams, 62, from Harpenden will be awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Mr Williams has been at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for 41 years.

He has been nominated for his work as Labour Market Operations Director and his sustained work with brain injury charities.

In his role at the DWP he is responsible for orchestrating home visits by the DWP to more than 300,000 vulnerable people.

He said: ““I am overwhelmed, and deeply, deeply proud, to receive this award.

“With the support of many colleagues, I’ve been privileged to play a part in the modernisation of Jobcentre Plus, but not in my wildest dreams did I think it would end with a trip to the Palace.

“I’m still pinching myself.”

Mr Williams has a long-standing involvement with brain injury charities Headway and Hurstwood Park League of Friends, which helps the charitable work of Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre in Sussex.

He is one of 19 DWP workers to be named in this year’s birthday honours list.