A RETIRED Chepstow teacher was formally awarded his MBE for services to conservation and wildlife in Monmouthshire by the Queen in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace yesterday.

Trevor Evans, 87, has served as a member of the Gwent Wildlife Trust since 1970 and has been a recorder for the Botanical Society for the British Isles since 1972.

The former teacher is also a founder member of Chepstow Society, which was set up in 1948 to explore the history of the town and where he is currently president.

Mr Evans developed an interest in Monmouthshire's wild flowers in the 1940s and following his retirement in 1984 began recording the plants in the county.

He is also the author of the The Flora of Monmouthshire, which describes more than 1,800 plants found in the county and tells of the changes seen during his lifetime. The book was published in 2007.

His MBE, awarded to Mr Evans by the Queen in a ceremony in London yesterday, was announced as part of last December's New Year's Honours.

Speaking of his delight at receiving the honour, he said: "The award is a great pleasure. The countryside is my passion."