A Ministry of Defence (MOD) engineer from Great Dunmow has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list 2015.

Richard Burlend, based at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), receives an MBE for his engineering and scientific expertise.

Richard said: “I am both delighted and honoured to have my contribution recognised in this way but any success has been achieved by working with some excellent colleagues.

“The work has been varied and diverse in nature, always a challenge but at the same time interesting and rewarding.”

Dstl Group Leader David Southgate said Richard was a worthy recipient.

“Richard, who has worked for the Ministry of Defence for more than 40 years, has been recognised for creating many bespoke engineering solutions using his practical mechanical and electrical engineering skills and knowledge of materials and explosives to support operational tasks,” he said.