THE chairman of Thurrock Grays Royal British Legion has been recognised by members of the local community for the work he puts in to support ex service personnel in the borough.

RBL chair Rod Oakley took to social media to express his thanks after being surprised with a community star award when he attended the recent Riverside Community Big Local annual meeting in Grays.

Mr Oakley was asked to attend to meeting to give a short presentation about the work of the Legion, onluy to have the tables turned on him

Afterwards he said: "I was asked to give a short briefing about the RBL and ended up receiving an award. What lovely people they all are."