YEARS of dedicated service by one of the region’s most senior soldiers have been recognised by the Queen.

Colonel Nick Millen, 54, was appointed an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and has now been invested with the honour at Buckingham Palace by the Princess Royal.

Col Millen will retire later this year after eight years as commander of Catterick Garrison, Britain’s biggest military base.

He has overseen the huge modernisation programme at the garrison which has cost hundreds of millions of pounds and has laid the foundations for fundamental changes in the future as the British Army withdraws its troops from Germany.

“It was an absolutely fabulous day for both myself and my family,” he said.

“I am extremely proud to have received the honour from the Princess Royal. It caps what has been an extremely rewarding period as commander of Catterick Garrison during which so much development has taken place.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with so many people on a multitude of different projects that has created a garrison fit for the 21st-century.

“It has also been a time when the Army has successfully integrated into the local community and I am confident that will continue in the future.”