Peter Denard, Surrey County Council’s trading standards chief for almost two decades, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The recognition for "services to local government and trading standards" marks an outstanding career for the county’s Trading Standards Manager, who has guided Surrey through several high profile situations and led his team to national acclaim.

Having joined the county council as a divisional officer in 1984 Mr Denard became the authority’s chief officer in 1992. In recent years he has led Surrey’s Trading Standards team through the outbreak of foot and mouth at Pirbright and managed the consequences of blue tongue and bird flu in the county soon after.

This year the team received national recognition for its handling of the prosecution of Scottish and Southern Energy for alleged misleading doorstep selling. It is believed to be the first time that a major energy supplier has faced prosecution for the practice.

Mr Denard has also led his team to a number of awards over the years. These have included the Daily Mirror’s ‘Hero Of The Year’ award in 2006 after Surrey Trading Standards teamed up with ITV for the prime time show “House of Horrors” where conmen traders were snared for their dodgy work.

Having started his career as a trainee inspector of weights and measures in Hertfordshire in 1970, Mr Denard has also served as the national chairman of the Trading Standards Institute and chairman of the Society of Chief Trading Standards Officers.

In fact, Mr Denard has already received royal recognition for his work having attended a garden party hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his successful launch and subsequent leadership of the advice service Consumer Direct for the south east of England. He also accepted an "Excellence in Trading Standards" award on behalf of the county council from the Princess Royal.

Kay Hammond, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “I am delighted that Peter has been recognised for the outstanding work he has done for Surrey over the years.

“Under his guidance the trading standards team has done wonderful work not only to protect local consumers but also to work with businesses to help them maintain the highest possible standards.”

Responding to news of the award Mr Denard said: "I can only really accept this honour on behalf of the great team of people that I have worked with over years, because it is that teamwork that has ensured Surrey's continuing success.

“It really is an honour to receive such a prestigious award but also very touching to have been nominated by the people I have worked with for so many years."