A ROSS-on-Wye man, who is currently head of antiques at Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum, has been made an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list.

Dr Paul Roberts, 63, was honoured for his services to archaeology and heritage having excavated in Britain, Greece, Libya, Turkey and in Italy where he directed the digs in the Sabine Hills near Rome and near Campobasso in Molise.

Dr Roberts, who went to Monmouth School in the 1970s, has lectured extensively abroad and around the UK and is due to give a talk in his home town later this year.

Having also been awarded the ‘Star of Italy’ honour by the Italian Government for services to its history, he said that receiving the OBE was an added bonus.

He added: “I think most archaeologists and museum workers – and I’m both – do the job because they love it.

“For me it’s all about sharing with people the amazing culture of the Romans.

“Our Mum first took us to Pompeii when I was 14 and living in Ross, and that was it! When I saw the kitchens with all the pots and pans, and my family owned a restaurant, so particularly poignant, and then the bodies – it could have been me or my family.

“I am so honoured to receive this award. It is in part for my family and my colleagues as they all made it possible.

Dr Roberts, who studied at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, explained that his research focuses on the day to day lives of ordinary people in the Roman worlds.

During his long career Dr Roberts has had four books published and has staged major exhibitions at the British Museum in London.

Brother Ken, from Roman Way, in Ross, said that the family were very proud of Paul and that the OBE is formal recognition of his dedication to his passion.