A SOMERSET man is set to receive an MBE for his services to stained glass conservation.

Stephen Clare, 62, director of Holy Well Glass is on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, which has been revealed today (October 10).

“I’ve known about it for some months but when I got the news I was completely surprised I thought it was a spoof email and almost put it in spam,” said Mr Clare.

“It was a real thrill as you can imagine.

“I’ve worked with stained glass since 1980. I think the main thrust of the honour is to do with working on a lot of the great buildings in the country but also lots of training on youngsters.

“It is a niche thing, a highly specialist thing so it is vital we train youngsters. My son is carrying the company forward – the team at Holy Well glass has got a huge emphasis on youth.

“I am sure everyone at work will be chuffed for me, now I can finally tell them.”

Mr Clare founded Holy Well Glass in Wells in 1995 and the company employs 18 people – making it the largest stained glass studio in the UK.

The Queen’s Birthday Honours list was due to be published in June 2020, but was postponed to allow time to consider nominations for people playing crucial roles during the coronavirus crisis.

READ MORE: Key workers to be recognised in Queens Birthday Honours

The list also includes doctors, nurses, fundraisers and volunteers who stepped up amid the coronavirus crisis.

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said frontline workers should be on the list to thank them for all their hard work during the pandemic.

Mr Johnson said: “As we all redouble our efforts to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives this winter, I am pleased we have an opportunity to recognise those who have given so much to this country already.

“The coronavirus pandemic is the greatest health challenge in our lifetime.

“We all have to play our part, but the dedication, courage and compassion seen from these recipients, be it responding on the front line or out in their communities providing support to the most vulnerable, is an inspiration to us all.

“We owe them a debt of gratitude and the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours will be the first of many occasions where we can thank them as a nation."