A WINCHESTER civil servant who led Britain's response to the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone has been awarded a medal at a Downing Street ceremony.

Donal Brown received the Ebola medal at a reception hosted by the Prime Minister today.

The former vet, of Monarch Way, led the Department for International Development's Ebola Task Force for five months and helped end the crisis.

Mr Brown was also awarded a CBE for services to international development in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Justine Greening, the international development secretary, said: “I warmly congratulate Donal Brown on winning this medal for his contribution to the fight against the deadly Ebola virus in Sierra Leone.

“It is thanks to the efforts of people like Donal that case numbers have dramatically dropped and many thousands of lives have been saved. Winchester and the whole of the UK can be truly proud of their achievements.”