THE vice president of a wildlife conservation trust has said he is 'completely amazed' to be named on King Charles' Birthday Honours List.

Hugh Richard Oliver-Bellasis, a Tadley resident, has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE).

The 79-year-old has been handed the honours for his work as vice president of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, which is a charitable organisation using science to promote wildlife and game management.

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Tree planting at Sandringham estate (Left to right: Mrs Teresa Dent, King Charles, Mr Hugh Oliver-Bellasis, Mr James Keith, Mr James Bowdidge) (Image: Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust)

He told the Gazette that he didn't expect to be named on the list, adding: "I don't think one ever expects anything like that but it's a nice surprise.

"With my Wildlife Conservation Trust, I was a trustee for 30 years and did a huge amount of work for them, all of which was countryside and wildlife-related."

Mr Oliver-Bellasis he was most proud of his work 'supporting rural communities', continuing: "Most of the work that the trust does is applied science, and it's applied science that keeps managing and shows them the best things to do to get the best outcome."

It's not the first time that Mr Oliver-Bellasis will meet the King, having previously undertaken projects with King Charles and the late Prince Phillip, as they served as patrons for the wildlife trust.

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The vice president said they are both 'passionate land managers' who were 'connected to the trust' and passionate about wildlife conservation.

He added that it 'isn't often that many people have the opportunity to go to Buckingham Palace' and that 'no one expects it'.

"I think it will be fun to see who notices and who I tell, but it will also be fun to tell the grandchildren," Mr Oliver-Bellasis said..

The King's Birthday Honours List, released on Friday, June 14, recognises the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK.

Across the UK 1,077 people were acknowledged in this year's list, ranging from politicians, musicians and actors to senior diplomats and elite sports stars, including 21 people from Hampshire.