Accountant David Ashman has been made an OBE for years of dedicated voluntary service.

The partnership chairman at Reeves, the accounting and business advisory firm with offices in Canterbury, Chatham Maritime, London and Gatwick, was given the honour for voluntary service to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help.

The association was founded in 1885 and is the UK's oldest national military charity. It provides financial, practical and emotional assistance to current and past serving men and women from the Army, Navy and RAF, and their families.

SSAFA supports around 50,000 people each year with issues such as welfare, housing, health and social working, adoption and mentoring among others.

Mr Ashman has been the organisation's national honorary treasurer for the past three years. He worked for the Kent branch as treasurer for more than 22 years. Nine years ago he became a trustee of the charity.

Mr Ashman, a specialist for Reeves in the charity and not for profit sectors, said: "I am absolutely delighted to be recognised with this honour and for being part of such a deserving charity. The work SSAFA does is amazing and really makes a difference to people's lives. It is a privilege to support the volunteers who do so much to assist serving and ex-service men, women and their families who are in need."

Clive Stevens, managing partner, added: "I am delighted that David should receive this as it is extremely well deserved for the amount of time, effort and expertise he has given SSAFA over a very long period of time."