A top officer in a charity supporting naval personnel, veterans and their families has been recognised with an MBE.

Samantha Nicolson, chief operating officer of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) is recognised in the King's Birthday Honours.

The charity, which does work in Helensburgh and at HMNB Clyde, works to ensure tens of thousands of serving personnel, veterans and families enjoy a "substantial improvement to the quality of their lives".

Ms Nicolson was the RNRMC's second employee in 2008 and rose to her current post in 2022.

She said: "I am incredibly honoured to be awarded an MBE for my support to the serving navy, veterans and their families.

"I have seen their struggles, I have seen their successes, but it is only because we all pull together, alongside our many charity partners, that we have achieved what we have here at the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

“I want to thank my lovely family, especially my husband Gary, my friends and my colleagues as they have supported me on this journey since 2008, including the men and women of the Royal Navy and their families who work tirelessly to keep us safe throughout the world and it is for them all that I accept this award.”

The resident of Dunmore was described by the charity as its "beating heart" and personally overseeing their operations to become the principal charity of the Royal Navy.

They said her "extraordinary commitment and determination to make a difference, this was highlighted when as Chief Financial Officer Sam consistently went above and beyond; including guiding two substantial charity mergers within the RNRMC Group and extending RNRMC’s back office support services to many external Naval charities".

The charity added: "Through outstanding dedication and commitment Sam has been instrumental in ensuring that tens of thousands of serving, veteran and family beneficiaries have enjoyed substantial improvement to the quality of their lives."