A Pembroke Dock pensioner who has spent a lifetime raising money for charity has received a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday honours.

Frank Harries, 85, of Pembroke Dock estimates he has raised around £200,000, mostly by organising shows and performances.

"It all came about in the war years as a boy," said Mr Harries. "After going to church my brothers and I used to go to the school room next door and put on variety shows.

"As the years went on I became involved with Rotary. One year we needed to raise money for Polio Plus and I was asked to write a variety show."

For the next 18 years, with his wife at his side as his mentor and muse, Mr Harries wrote and produced an annual variety show, raising a total of £65,000 for local and national charities.

In 2001 he took on the Rotary's Cardiff Philharmonic concerts, an event that has gone from strength to strength and has raised around £70,000 for charity.

Other notable fundraising events organised by Mr Harries have been a concert to raise money for the tsunami victims and a series of Rotary barbecues.

As well as a long standing involvement with Rotary Mr Harries has also been president of Probus and Round Table, chairman of Pembroke choir and is a life member of Pembroke Dock Cricket Club.

"I was gobsmacked when I heard I was in the birthday honours list," said Mr Harries. "The news couldn't have come at a better time; It is my birthday this week.

"All my life I've given everything to help people. I've never looked back since those days in St Marys Church Pembroke Dock. I've helped as much as I can where needed. Anything that comes up I'm ready to help out."