A HUSBAND and wife from West Quantoxhead have been honoured with an investiture into the Order of St John.

The dedication of volunteers Duncan and Jane Stafford was marked in a prestigious ceremony on December 13 in the Order's historic 12th century Priory Church in London's Clerkenwell.

By being selected to become a member of the Order of St John, Duncan, 75, and Jane, 74, have been recognised for outstanding service to its key foundations - one of which is St John Ambulance, the nation's leading first aid charity.

The Order of St John is a Royal Order of Chivalry and the Queen, its sovereign head, approves each recipient.

Jane said: "It is a privilege and an honour to be admitted to the Order of St John. I am grateful that what I have been able to do has been appreciated and that my work as a first aider and volunteer has helped to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved."

Duncan added: "Volunteering with St John Ambulance has been very fruitful and rewarding. I am pleased with our achievements both in Malta and in Somerset and it was lovely to be able to share this investiture with my wife."

St John Ambulance believes volunteers are fundamental in helping the charity to fulfil its charitable aims. Up to 140,000 people every year could be given a chance to live if more people were equipped with basic first aid skills.

The couple, who live in Doniford Road, originally joined the St Audries division 20 years ago before transferring to Minehead. Duncan is currently the chairman of the area's St John Fellowship group.

Jane and Duncan, who are retired dairy farmers, were each given important posts with St John Ambulance Malta after developing a close association with the country's arm of the charity whilst holidaying there regularly.

Duncan was president of St John Ambulance Malta First Aid and Nursing until 2011 and Jane was president of the Birzebbuga Division.

Their support for the overseas charity for 12 years since 2000 enabled them firstly to send out one of the Chard division's ambulances, packed with equipment and further medical supplies and equipment each year since.

But the couple have also been active first aiders in their time with St John Ambulance and have spent many hours providing emergency medical cover at events like the 100-mile Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor.

Duncan and Jane were each presented with the Order's insignia by Rodney Green, the Prior (chairman) of the Priory of England and the Islands - part of the Order of St John.

"Duncan and Jane have been invited to join the Order of St John in recognition of the contribution they have made to their communities." he said.

"They has shown true commitment to helping St John Ambulance's life saving work."

Around 100 people from communities across the country are invested on each occasion, the majority of whom volunteer for St John Ambulance. The investiture ceremony takes place three times a year.

The Order of St John is one of the world's longest established charities and traces its origins back 900 years to the Knights Hospitaller and the first Hospital of St John in Jerusalem in 1078.

Its international history is showcased in the Museum of the Order of St John in Clerkenwell, London.