A WILTSHIRE Council stalwart employee is bursting with pride to be named in the New Year Honours.

Assistant Clerk to the Lieutenancy of Wiltshire, Jean Potter, will join the illustrious ranks to become a member of Royal Victorian Order, which recognises the work that people have done in serving the monarchy.

Mrs Potter, 63, who has worked for what was the county council since the age of 19, was lost for words when she received the letter informing her of the honour last month and not much has changed four weeks on.

"I am still somewhat speechless. When my husband called me to say I had received this honour I was just so overwhelmed," said Mrs Potter, who lives with her husband Keith in Winsley.

"It was just so unexpected. You just give your all at work but you never plan on anything like this. I will admit that I had tears of joy, it was just an incredible feeling.

"Even a month later I still find it hard to put how much it means to me into words. This would not have even entered into my wildest dreams so you can understand how happy I am."

As part of the protocol, Mrs Potter has had to keep the announcement secret until New Year's Eve, something that came easy to her as she recognised the magnitude of the honour.

"There was no way I was going to break the protocol and tell other people as it is such an important award," said Mrs Potter, who has also worked as a personal assistant for chief executives of the council.

"I will celebrate with my family soon and then there will be a ceremony later in 2017 in London which should be great.

"I went into local government to serve the people of Wiltshire in some way and hopefully the work I have done over the years has achieved that."