A CO-FOUNDER of the Alzheimer’s Society said she was “unbelieveably excited” after being awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours list.

Morella Kayman, from Stanmore, who is now vice president of the society, helped set up the charity in 1979 following her husband's diagnosis of dementia seven years earlier.

She received an MBE for services to healthcare.

Mrs Kayman said as dementia was considered a taboo subject she did not have anyone to turn to for advice.

She wrote to national newspapers to highlight the problem and started up the charity, which now provides 2,000 services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

She said: “I'm unbelievably excited. The award pays tribute to my late husband who lived with dementia for 20 years.

“I feel incredibly proud of what Alzheimer's Society has achieved. The world of dementia is so different from what it was 30 years ago.

"We've still got so much to do and I'm not going to stop now.

"I plan on doing lots more for the cause, especially fundraising."

Jeremy Hughes, the charity’s chief executive, congratulated Mrs Kayman for her “inspiring leadership and energy”.

He added: “Thirty years since co-founding the charity, Morella is as active as ever at raising awareness of dementia and giving the most vulnerable in our society a voice and hope. I cannot think of a more worthy recipient of such an honour.”