A Camborne woman is one of six people in Cornwall to receive the British Empire Medal at a ceremony at County Hall.

Dorothy Fisher was given the honour in the New Year honours list for services to animal welfare and the community in Cornwall.

She was presented with the medals by Cornwall’s Lord Lieutenant Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE at a special ceremony at New County Hall on Tuesday.

Also receiving the British Empire Medals was Mrs Lynn Bartlett, (Fowey) for services to the community in Polruan •  Mrs Amanda Kimmins (St Agnes) for services to the community of St Agnes • Mrs Phyllis Madron (Penzance) for services to maritime safety • Mrs Pamela Richards (St Austell) for services to the community in Foxhole  and Mrs Barbara Snowling (Torpoint) for services to the community in Crafthole.

First established in 1922 to replace the Medal of the Order of the British Empire, the British Empire Medal (BEM) is awarded for meritorious civil or military service. The BEM was awarded in the UK until 1992 when it fell into abeyance.

The honour was then re introduced in 2012 as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations when it was awarded to 293 people from across the UK in The Queen’s Birthday Honours.

As well as receiving their award from the Lord Lieutenant, everyone receiving a BEM also has the opportunity to attend one of Her Majesty’s Buckingham Palace Garden Parties.

“This award is designed to recognise and celebrate the dedication and hard work provided by local volunteers who make a real difference to their communities” said Col Bolitho.

“All six of today’s medallists are worthy recipients and I am honoured to have the opportunity to mark their commitment to others and thank them on behalf of the people of Cornwall”.