Menstrie's Alistair Spowage, the development manager for The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in the Army Cadet Force across the UK, was this week awarded an MBE by the Queen.

The award was for service to the Army Cadet Force nationally over many years, especially in developing a leadership and management training framework for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

A former cadet at the age of 13, Alistair - whose full title is Lieutenant Colonel Alistair Spowage MBE DL - joined the Army Cadets as an adult leader in October 1975 and rose to the rank of Deputy Commandant of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Battalion ACF.

He and his wife Lindsey travelled from Clackmannanshire to Buckingham Palace where the investiture, for the Diamond Jubilee Birthday Honours List, took place. They were accompanied by sons Gavin and Gordon, and daughters Jennie and Alison - each of whom is a Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award holder.

Alistair who lives in Menstrie said, "I am really honoured and also very grateful for all the support of colleagues at school, in the Army Cadets and the DofE in Scotland, and especially for the patience and encouragement of Lindsey and the family."

A former principal teacher of Physical Education at St Mungo's Academy in Alloa, Alistair is a Deputy Lieutenant of Clackmannanshire as well as currently being President of the Rotary Club of Alloa, Clackmannanshire.