BEAR Grylls was one of the more recognisable Wiltshire names in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list.

The adventurer and television star, who is also chief scout, has been awarded an OBE for services to young people, the media and charity.

Other notable Wiltshire residents to receive honours include Alistair Cunningham, the Wiltshire Council director now made OBE, and county councillor Mary Fleur De Rhe-Philipe, awarded the OBE for services to local government.

Bear Grylls said of his OBE: "This really is a huge honour and it's something, if I'm honest, that I never expected to happen.

"But I really do feel it's a team effort, this award is for every one of those incredible Scout volunteers.

"We now have over half a million Scouts and volunteers in this country who give up so much of their time and energy to help young people and this award is for you guys, so if you're a Scout volunteer, congratulations, we share this one together."

Grylls, 44, whose real name is Edward, had a hunger to explore from a young age. The son of politician and former Royal Marine Commando Mickey Grylls, he was nicknamed Bear by his sister when he was one week old. Educated at Eton, he became a keen climber and sailor and as a youngster he helped found the school's first mountaineering club.

He still attributes his love of adventure to that time spent with his father.

Grylls served for three years as a Trooper in 21st Regiment SAS, part of the UK Special Forces Reserve, where he was trained in combat survival, demolitions and close quarter fighting, before he climbed Mount Everest at the age of 23. His big break on television came in 2006 when he started filming Man vs. Wild.

He has an estate in Wiltshire, as well as homes in London and Wales.