AN award-winning town crier has been recognised in the Queen’s New Years Honours for his services to the community.

Peter Stemmer, who has been the voice of Darlington since 2008, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the town’s community.

The 62-year-old has also been honoured for services to the Postal Service in recognition for his work at his family-owned Mowden Park Post Office, in the town’s Fulthorpe Avenue.

Since taking over the post office more than eight years ago, sub-postmaster Mr Stemmer and his wife, Marilyn, have transformed the business into a thriving community hub which, in 2010, was named the best shop in the region at the Love the North-East awards.

The former sergeant major said: “I feel so proud that people have nominated me and that whoever adjudicated it agreed with them.

“I am just doing what I love and enjoying myself. I get deal with nice people every day and have a fantastic team at the post office.

“We have made it a community post office and have found there is a great need for it. We have great customers who really appreciate what we do for them.

“Being the town crier I also get to shout about Darlington and tell people how good it is.

“It is amazing to be on the list - you don’t go out there and do things expecting to be on the Honours List, you do them because you love doing it.”