by Sarah Shaffi

Medway's longest serving school governor has been made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list.

Gabriel Lancaster, of Grange Way, Rochester, worked as a governor for almost 50 years at the former Chapter School and at what is now Medway Community College.

He has been made an MBE for his services to the community and is one of just nine school governors on the list.

The 87-year-old said: “I never expected to be made an MBE, not at all.

“I feel very honoured.”

Another Medway resident, Paul Stafford Jackson from Gillingham, has been made OBE for services to the computer games industry

Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, who was helped on the road to success by the co-owner of Buckmore Park Kart Circuit Bill Sisley, has also been made an MBE.