Blacksmith Hector Cole says his phone has been red hot since it was announced he is being made an MBE.

Mr Cole, 75, of Great Somerford, near Malmes-bury, was included in the New Year’s Honours for his exemplary arrow smithing and historical metal work.

The father-of-three specialises in the reconstruction of archaeological artefacts, using the same materials and techniques of ancient smiths.

His work can be seen in the Museum of London and has featured in several television programmes, including Meet the Ancestors, Time Team, and a BBC documentary on King Alfred and the Anglo-Saxons, broadcast last year.

He produced his first piece of ironwork, a pig ring, at the age of four-and-a-half and went on to teach metalwork at Malmesbury School from 1967 until he retired from teaching in 1992.

Among those he taught were his daughter, Melissa Cole, who has a studio in Puthall Farm, Marlborough.

In 2007, she was awarded a bronze medal by the Wors-hipful Company of Black-smiths for her forged iron work and dedication to blacksmithing in education.

Mr Cole has had his blacksmithing business since 1970 and teaches from his workshop in Little Somerford.

He said: “The most prestigious gates that most people know of that I’ve forged are the gates for Highgrove, for Prince Charles. I’ve also made the large entrance gates at Charlton Park.

“To receive an MBE is amazing. It came as a complete surprise; totally unexpected. The fact that it will promote heritage crafts in this country gives it far more kudos.

“The telephone’s been red hot since I was on the television; people calling with congratulations. You feel like you’ve got a reputation to live up to.”

Seven craft makers have received national honours by being nominated by the Heritage Crafts Association since the start of 2014.

Robin Wood, a woodturner and chairman of the Heritage Crafts Association and an MBE, said: “Hector is not only sought after by museums and television programmes to re-create ancient and historical metal artefacts, but also spends time at his own expense working with young people, often disadvantaged, to pass on the traditional skills he has acquired over many years.”