A NOTTS volunteer and historian who donates the proceeds of his books to help blind people is "over the moon" at being named in the New Year's Honours List.

Ron Booth, 77, is to be appointed an MBE by the Queen for his services to the community in the list, announced today.

Mr Booth, who now lives in Ravenshead with Pat, his wife of 43 years, has written books about Radford, where he grew up, and Hyson Green, where he also lived.

He donates the proceeds to Nottinghamshire Royal Society for the Blind, which he has supported since 1968.

Mr Booth said: "I was over the moon when I got the letter. It came on November 20 and I've not been able to tell anyone.

"I saw a good friend and couldn't tell him, and had Christmas Day at my brother's and couldn't say a word. I'm sure they'll understand."

Mr Booth began his charity work after his mother received help when she gradually went blind.

He said: "The society helped her out and about all over. I wanted to give something back. All my life I've tried to help those that are worse off. It's how I was brought up."

Mr Booth worked with the Neighbourhood Development Company to produce a community newspaper.

And last year he won the Older Person of the Year and Outstanding Community Contribution of the Year honours in the Partnership Council's Big10 awards.

He is also a committee member and trustee for the Our Centre, formerly the Kirby-in-Ashfield Volunteer Centre, which he has been involved in for 23 years.

A member of Radford Local History Society, Mr Booth also contributes to the Bygones section of the Post.

He has campaigned for more recognition for Notts' Victoria Cross heroes since discovering that he was related to Anthony Clarke Booth, from Carrington, who won the medal for his efforts in the battle of Intombe River in the Zulu War in 1879.

"I was proud to say I was related to him and I'm probably the only other one in the family to be awarded anything. It will be a big day," he said.

His former commitments included sitting on the police consultative committee for Kirkby-in-Ashfield and being chairman and treasurer of the Kirkby-in-Ashfield Arthritis Committee.

Mr Booth, who has three sons and a daughter from his first marriage, will travel to Buckingham Palace for his investiture, at a date to be confirmed.