THREE members of the Enfield community have been formally recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Monty Meth, of Southgate, has been awarded an MBE for his services to the community in Enfield and Bethnal Green.

Mr Meth, the chairman of the Enfield Over-50s Forum, was understandably delighted to be handed the award.

He said: "It came as a hell of a surprise, I had absolutely no idea.

"Obviously there was wide support from the organisations that I belong to, but I had no idea that this was being mooted.

"I think it reflects not just my work, but the work of the forum and the voice of people in the entire borough."

The Enfield Over-50s Forum acts to represent the voice of older people, and Mr Meth has been extremely active in discussions with groups such as Enfield Council, primary care trusts and leisure centres to try and improve their quality of life.

Mr Meth, who was appointed as chairman in 2000, has overseen a large membership increase, from an initial 70 to the present figure of over 1,400.

Meanwhile, Dr Stephen Dowbiggin, principal of Capel Manor College, and Stanley Phillip Harris of Southgate, a former chair of trustees at the East London inner city charity group Community Links, have both been awarded with an OBE.

Dr Dowbiggin said: "I feel a little bit embarrassed. It has been a team effort. I have got superb staff and the students are out of this world."