A TIDWORTH-BASED army bomb disposal expert has been awarded the George Medal, the highest peacetime bravery award.

He is Staff Sergeant Mark Doyle (33), serving with 741 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps, who spent more than 30 hours making safe unstable explosives after an accident at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Bridgwater in July last year, when a civilian worker was seriously injured.

Speaking from Tidworth this week, S/Sgt Doyle told how pipes containing a highly unstable explosive residue had been scattered over a wide area in the original accident.

He spent more than 30 hours working in full protective clothing and respirator before collecting the pipes together and flushing out the explosive residue.

There was a danger of further explosions at any time during the operation.

The citation says that the award is made for S/Sgt Doyle's conspicuous bravery over a 30-hour period, during which he manhandled the explosives and prevented loss of life and considerable damage.

S/Sgt Doyle, who joined the army 16 years ago, said he was not scared at any time.

"I always felt calm and in control," he said.

"We made a plan and we did the job we were trained to do. However, I had never tackled anything like this before.

"I'm delighted and very surprised to get the award."

For his work in the same incident, Captain Neil Joynes, also from 741 EOD Sqn at Tidworth, was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal for his bravery working alongside S/Sgt Doyle. Capt Joynes is currently serving in Kosovo.