A FORMER journalist has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Tony Gearing has been honoured for his services to young people in the UK.

The 57-year-old was a reporter for The Argus in the early 1980s.

He set up the Young People of the Year awards ceremonies, which has seen more than 6,000 young people entered in more than 60 events across the country.

“I haven’t achieved this alone.” said Tony.

“This MBE is for all the young people who have taken part in YOPEYs.

“Whether or not they went on to be shortlisted for one of our lavish awards ceremonies. They are all winners!

“It is also for all the friends I roped in to help and for my wife Jo who keeps my nose to the grindstone and gives me some of my best ideas.”