Royal British Legion member Arthur Reed has been awarded a gold badge after carrying the legion standard for more than 20 years.

Arthur, 68, of Stow Hill, Childrey, near Wantage, has been a member of the Challow branch for more than 30 years and the badge is the highest honour that can be awarded by a branch.

Arthur, who sits on the branch committee, said: "I am very proud. It is a honour to carry the standard anyway, let alone for 20 years."

He will be carrying the standard again in Sandhurst on Sunday at the biggest annual parade of Royal British Legion branches.

A former apprentice jockey, he joined the Army in 1953 for national service and served with the Royal Artillery and the Royal Leicester Light Infantry before taking up a posting in London with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.

He later returned to racing, working at trainer Tim Forster's yard, in Letcombe Bassett, near Wantage.