A Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator and police liaison group founder will be made an MBE for her 23 years of voluntary work.

Carole Atkinson, 74, became director trustee of Hampton Voluntary Care upon her retirement in 2000, has worked with the neighbourhood watch for five years and set up the Hampton and Hampton Hill police liaison Group in 2009.

The former civil servant also chairs the Richmond Community and Police Partnership Group, but said she could not believe it when she heard she was to be honoured.

She said: "I was very surprised and nearly had a heart attack when I get the letter.

"I do what I do because I enjoy it, and it seems a bit unfair just me being singled out because so many other people work so hard and devote so much time to these causes.

"We have got one of the safest boroughs in London and I think this award is a recognition of the great work that goes on and the wonderful people who are prepared to work alongside the police."

Peter Burrows-Smith, treasurer at the safer neighbourhood board, said it had been a pleasure working alongside Ms Atkinson.

He said: "She has the great respect of everyone that works with her.

"She just devotes everything to community policing and is so highly respected by everyone."

Ms Atkinson also received a Richmond community award and a borough commander's commendation in 2013 for her police and community work.