Coun Denis Beeston (76), of Bestwood Village, and Lilian Forster (79), of Hucknall, have been given the prestigious accolade.

Both have completed decades of service to their local communities and continue to do so, even though they are both now pensioners.

Coun Beeston was nominated for an MBE after serving for 37 years on Bestwood Parish Council and for 26 years as a Labour member on Gedling Borough Council.

Well known and well loved, Coun Beeston, of Mayes Rise, has also been a governor at Bestwood Village's Hawthorne Primary School for 32 years.

Nicknamed 'Denbo', Coun Beeston is married to Alice and still works, holding down a part-time job at home and garden products firm, Richard Sankey and Son Ltd, of Bulwell.

Hucknall's Labour MP, Paddy Tipping, paid tribute. He said: "I am delighted for Denis. This is recognition of years of service, outstanding service for the people of Bestwood Village."

Mary Hall, who is clerk of Bestwood Parish Council, added: "I am thrilled to bits, as are all the councillors.

"I think Denis is stunned and it hasn't quite sunk in. It has been very overwhelming for him but I just think it is well overdue and a lot of people in the village feel the same.

Mrs Forster receives her MBE in recognition of more than 20 years of volunteering at Edgewood Primary School in Hucknall.

The married mum-of-two became involved with Edgewood after her grandsons – Ashley and Alexander Forster – started going to school there.

And she has continued volunteering at the Christchurch Road school ever since. She currently helps out four days a week with everything from needlecraft to nature walks.

She says the MBE came as a bit of a surprise but stresses she has already "put it to the back of her mind" and is "back to normal".

Mrs Forster is married to Bernard and lives on Rolleston Close. She has lived in the town for a total of 40 years after growing up in Lincolnshire.

As well as her two sons, Robert and Anthony, she has six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

On her first day at school after the MBE was announced, Mrs Forster said it was "all excitement".

Head teacher Lynn Baker said: "We are really pleased. It is well deserved.

"Lilian comes to school in rain or shine. She keeps going and is real role model for us all. The sort of work she does and the individual attention she gives just wouldn't happen without her.

"All the children love her and we are very proud."