A Bromsgrove resident has been recognised for his incredible volunteering work in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Roy Starkey, aged 67, was awarded the prestigious British Empire Medal in recognition of his 40 years of dedicated service in promoting amateur mineralogy in the UK.

The medal was presented to Mr Starkey on Friday, October 20 by the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Beatrice Grant, in a ceremony at the Guildhall in Worcester.

Mr Starkey, from Aston Fields, said: “The study of minerals has been a lifelong passion for me. It’s a fascinating and wonderful subject and more people are getting interested in collecting and studying minerals.

“I’m so proud and delighted that my work has been recognised in this way.”

Mr Starkey has become the leading figure nationally in volunteer mineralogy which is the scientific study of minerals.

He has written several books including “Minerals of the English Midlands” whilst also playing a key role in the project to redevelop the Lapworth Museum of Geology at the University of Birmingham.