A former Deal man and chemist at Pfizer in Sandwich has been knighted in the New Year Honours list for services to chemistry.

Dr Simon Campbell, a synthetic organic chemist, moved to Deal in 1972 and worked at Pfizer where he was senior author on the research that made Viagra, the first oral treatment for erectile dysfunction.

He retired in 1998 as Senior Vice President for Worldwide Discovery and Medicinals R&D Europe.

He has co-authored more than 120 publications and patents and was a key member of the research teams that discovered doxazosin and amlodipine, used to lower blood pressure.

He said: “It is a tremendous honour. I’m very pleased, it recognises the research I’ve been doing over the past 40 years and the support from my colleagues, my wife and family.”

He has also dedicated 15 years of his career to creating medicines for malaria and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Dr Campbell, 73, lived with his wife Jill, 71, in Kingsdown from 1974 until four weeks ago when the pair moved to Poole in Dorset, to a smaller home by the sea.

Mrs Campbell was the former chairwoman of Arthritis Care in Deal, as well as being involved in the Kingsdown Girlguides.

She also ran adult education courses, including yoga, at Dover Sea Sports Centre.

A letter was sent out to Dr Campbell in November notifying him of the honour, but he explained he was working in Melbourne, Australia with CTx, a research group which aims to find a cure for cancer.

“It is a tremendous honour. "- Dr Campbell

It wasn’t until he returned home in mid-December that he discovered the letter.

He said: “My family are all delighted.”

Dr Campbell and his wife also set up the Simon and Jill Campbell Foundation, which provides grants for students who wish to study physical science or maths at Birmingham University or Cambridge, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford the course.

He said: “We’re very proud of that and what a difference it’s made. More than 100 students have benefited.”

Dr Campbell was previously made a CBE in the Queen’s 80th Birthday Honours List in 2006.