FORMER Tavistock College pupil and ATC cadet Mark Biggadike has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List .

Mark, now a wing commander in the Royal Air Force, received the honour for his work leading Merlin helicopter operations in Afghanistan.

He is currently taking a break from front line operations and studying for an MA at the Defence Academy.

Mark was told about his award only the morning before the list was published on New Year's Eve. He said it was certainly not a telephone call he was expecting, but a great way to start the new year

'I feel really privileged and fortunate to have been recognised in this way,' he said.

His proud parents, who still live in Tavistock, will be attending Mark's investiture at Buckingham Palace later in the year, together with Mark's wife, Erika.