In recognition of his work and dedication in ensuring Wilcot has reached the top places in the Wiltshire Best Kept Village contest in recent years, Michael Peel-Cross has been given the highest honour a parish council can award.

On Friday, at a ceremony at the Golden Swan pub, Mr Peel-Cross was made an honorary parishioner, a new honour that councils have been able to give only since last year.

Although Mr Peel-Cross, 77, who has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, was able to attend the ceremony, the award was received on his behalf by his wife Sue.

The retired farm manager, who ran Anvils Farm in Dursden Lane, Pewsey, moved to Wilcot when he retired 13 years ago.

He was lured to the pub on the premise friends wanted to toast his 77th birthday, which was on Monday, and he was surprised when it was revealed he was being made an honor-ary parishioner of Wilcot.

Parish council chairman Jack Torrens said the award to Mr Peel-Cross was “to honour his tireless service to the village amenity of Wilcot”.

He mentioned Mr Peel-Cross’s work which led to The Laurence Kitching Award in 2010 and the CPRE Best Kept Village Award in 2006.

Mr Peel-Cross, a father of three and grandfather of five, is a familiar sight on his tractor, mowing the village green and cricket field, and maintaining the war memorial.

Coun Torrens said: “Although he was paid by the council, Michael did a lot of work off his own back and he was never fully rewarded for all he did.”