'Thrilled' at honour.

Robert Taylor first helped the elderly as a teenage volunteer and has been made an OBE for his work.

The Age Concern director said: 'I'm thrilled! It's great to be recognised like this.'

The father of two, married to Julia, began working for Age Concern in 1982 and became director 12 years ago.

'It's brilliant to get paid doing something I love,' he said. 'I've never doubted I'm doing the right job. I've got a real passion for work with older people.'

Mr Taylor, who lives in Rudry, near Caerphilly, said much had improved for older people. 'We've come an awfully long way in trying to make life better.'