MBE for selfless educationalist

Mr Clare's long career in education started in 1963 when he sent his three children to St Mary's Primary school in Isleworth.

"I decided I wanted to help the school and so became a governor, I ended up being the chair of governors there for 18 years," he said.

"Then when my two boys went to Gunnersbury Catholic School in 1974 I became a foundation governor and I was soon asked to go to St George's Catholic School in Westminster."

Mr Clare (right) soon started to gain a reputation as being an asset to any school he worked at, and in 1997 was asked by Hounslow Council to help turn Syon Park School around, which was going into special measures.

"I was very proud when Syon Park got out of special measures, I supported it and helped to look at where it was going wrong, while trying to bring stability," he said.

Friend and colleague Maureen Row, deputy director of education for Westminster Diocese, said: "What makes him great is the fact that he always has the children at heart and does what is best for them. There is never any selfish motivation with Peter.

"Over the years he has gained a lot of knowledge, which he has managed to transfer into every school and organisation he works with, he certainly deserves the honour."

Previously a printer at Gazebo Printing in Acton, Peter moved to Isleworth when he got married to his late wife Anne in 1956.

In 2001 he was made a Papal Knight, which he describes as one of his proudest moments.

"I was invested in the knighthood in St Bridget's Church in Isleworth, in front of my family and friends, it was the same year my wife died but thankfully she was there to see it," he said.

Even at 75 and after 40 years of being a governor at various schools, Mr Clare is still involved in education.

"My three children got a good education and I felt I wanted to give something back," he said.

"I still attend the governing body meetings and fetch and carry my 11-year-old granddaughter to and from her school, The Rosary Catholic Primary in Heston, where I am also on the governing body now." * Mr Clare was joined on the list by Madge Esme Mary Dobinson, of Hounslow, who received an MBE for services to the British Red Cross Society in London.

And an MBE also went to Whitehall official and Isleworth resident Morris Young, the Audit Service, E-Commerce and International Team Leader at HM Revenue and Customs.