A LEADING figure in the Redbridge Gujarati community has been adorned with an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Babulal Sudra, 75, from Seven Kings, has worked tirelessly for the community over the past two decades.

As chairman of the Redbridge Gujarati Welfare Association, which in 1994 merged two previous groups, Mr Sudra organises family support and social functions for the Gujarati community in Redbridge.

Born in Kenya on June 7, 1931, Mr Sudra moved to Uganda as a young man and trained as an electrician.

He married Maniben in 1953 and brought his wife, three sons and one daughter to England in 1970.

Mr Sudra worked as an electrician at Ford Motors in Dagenham before branching out into business, running two confectionary shops.

It was when he retired that Mr Sudra became secretary of the Gujarati Senior Citizens Association and was recently nominated to become chairman of the Redbridge Gujarati Welfare Association.

Of his MBE Mr Sudra said; "It is fantastic. I was jumping when I found out the news. I didn't expect it and I am very excited about meeting the Queen."

l Elsewhere Sudarshan Bhuhi, from Clayhall, has also been decorated with the MBE for her services to the Asian community in East London.