A DEDICATED civil servant was recognised for 37 years of loyal service at a ceremony at Bovington Army Camp.

Mike Horton, from Winterborne Whitechurch, was presented with an Imperial Service Medal by Commander John Ogden, Commander of the Armour Centre at Bovington.

Mike began his civil service career at the Royal Hospital Haslar in Gosport and in 1982 he was required to go into a continuous 24-hour shift pattern so urgently needed medical supplies could be shipped out to the South Atlantic during the Falklands War.

He moved to the Army School of Recruiting (ASR) at Bovington at the turn of the millennium, working as a course admistrator. In 2008 he was promoted to chief clerk.

An army spokesman said: “During his career with the civil service Mike has shown real drive and determination, he is honest and reliable and has never let anyone down. He gives 100 per cent and is totally committed to supporting both colleagues and students who attend courses at the ASR.”

Mike, who is married to Mel, continues his support for the Ministry of Defence and the Army in his current role working for Capita, which together with the Army trains the next generation of Army recruiters.