Peter Howells says walkers are better prepared these days

Mr Howells, aged 58, is leader of the Central Beacons Rescue Team, which operates in the Brecon Beacons.

The Queen's Birthday Honours also recognise his police work. A special constable since 1967, he is chief officer of Gwent special constabulary.

Mr Howells, of Newport, worked as a senior technical trainer with Hyder.

His interest in mountain rescue was inspired by scouting, and he began volunteer work as a 16-year-old in 1963.

He said those who take to the outdoors today generally make the right preparations for the elements, helped by the advice that is widely available.

"The folks we are now dealing with are usually quite well prepared," he said. "People are exposed to all kinds of information now through the media."

He picked out two of the rescues with which he has been involved as particularly memorable, but for very different reasons.

The Beacons are beautiful but can quickly become inhospitable

The first was a tragedy when a good friend and fellow team member, Mike Ruddal, was killed when a rock fell off Penyfan mountain during a rescue.

The second was when the team were amazed to discover that 80 young people were lost in the heart of the Beacons.

"This youth organisation actually had 120 young people in the Brecon Beacons, although 40 of them were accounted for," he said.

"It all turned out well in the end and we were able to locate them reasonably early, but the funny part of that was trying to account for every one of them. Their team leaders were later given suitable advice."