KENT Messenger Group president Edwin Boorman, a deputy lieutenant of Kent and a former High Sheriff, is to receive The Spirit of Kent Award for conspicuous service to the county and its people.

The award will be presented to him by the Prince of Wales on Tuesday, March 20.

Mr Boorman was chosen by a panel of county representatives. Recipients must have demonstrated excellence in their personal field, an exceptional level of service to Kent and its communities, personal integrity and have no current involvement in party politics.

The award was presented for the first time a year ago to the Duke of Kent.

It is the initiative of the Lord Lieutenant, Allan Willett, the Queen's representative in Kent, and is funded by his foundation.

Announcing the award to Mr Boorman, the Lord Lieutenant said: "He has made a wonderful contribution both through his family media group and with the almost endless list of voluntary public sector organisations and charities that he has led or supported over the past five decades. He has worked tirelessly, steadfastly and selflessly for the benefit of our great county and its communities."

Mr Boorman will receive the award from the Prince of Wales at a lunch at Turkey Mill, Maidstone, which will follow the Lieutenancy of Kent's civic service at All Saints, Maidstone.

Local authority mayors, chairmen, and representatives of their charities will attend the service, together with council leaders, chief executives, representatives from all Kent's town and parish councils and members of the magistracy, the emergency services and the health sector.

The aim of the Lieutenancy's third civic service is to celebrate the contribution to Kent life made during the year by civic heads and all the members of other organisations represented, and to give thanks for the work of the charities in the community.

The Prince of Wales will be on official visits to Kent on March 20. He will also attend a concert by Jools Holland, who is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, and other artists in aid of the Rochester Cathedral Music Campaign and visit Bank Farm, Aldington, near Ashford.