WITHYCOMBE'S Jean Humber has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to the community of West Somerset.

Mrs Humber co-founded, developed and continues to help out with the West Somerset Community Car Scheme Partnership, the framework for which is considered exemplary for Somerset.

The 75-year-old said she was shocked when she heard the news.

"I was shocked and surprised when I first found out I was on the New Year's Honours list, and then once I calmed down a bit I felt quite chuffed!" Jean said.

"I have to say first of all it was not just me who got the West Somerset Community Car Scheme up and running, I was one of a number of people."

In 2003, perceiving a real need in her isolated rural Parish, she set up Withycombe Wheels. This is an innovative community car scheme using volunteer drivers to provide a service for people who are unable to use or have difficulty with accessing public transport because of their age, physical or mental disability, ill health, isolation or other factors.

Following the success of setting up this local scheme she went on to become the key founding member of West Somerset Car Schemes Partnership, which is a non-profit organisation charging minimal costs to users.

There are now 15 voluntary car schemes under this umbrella and she continues to be their secretary, inspiring and assisting in the formation of new schemes.

"Once other volunteer car schemes were up and running, we decided it made sense to do it under one umbrella, as this meant we would have strength in numbers when it came to our services as well as things like the cost of insurance," Mrs Humber said.

"A service like this is especially important in a rural area like West Somerset where there are many isolated older residents, and our car scheme helps them live in their own homes independently for longer.

"We will help with hospital and GP appointments, grocery shopping and various other trips."

Due to her efforts the council continues to subsidise the scheme by reducing the cost to users by 50 per cent for those with bus passes.

As well as her sterling work with the car scheme, Jean was also recognised for her work organised various celebratory events in Withycombe including royal weddings, jubilees and commemorating Withycombe's history.

"One of my personal favourites was for one of the royal wedding anniversaries, we held a special wedding exhibition, with Withycombe residents contributing all sorts of exhibits," Jean says.

"I remember one lady brought in her wedding dress purchased at the end of the Second World War which we placed alongside a dress purchased by another resident for her wedding two years ago."

Jean says she is inspired by the people of West Somerset to carry out her work.

"It is just the West Somerset way I guess. It is a very special, very beautiful place and if someone needs help or something needs doing we find a way."