Mountain rescuer and netball player honoured

Mountain rescuer Penny Kirby said she felt "humbled" to be honoured

A mountain rescuer with 40 years of service and an international netball player have been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Penny Kirby, team leader of Wasdale Mountain Rescue, who has attended more than 1,200, emergency callouts, has been been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Carlisle-born England shooter Helen Housby, who was named player of the tournament at this year's World Cup, also becomes an MBE.

Others to be honoured in Cumbria include a children's services worker, a chef and a swimming coach.

Ms Kirby is also a highly experienced Lake District search dog handler and in 1988 spent almost a week helping with the search operation after the Lockerbie disaster.

A spokesman for Wasdale Mountain Rescue said: "Penny is a very committed, kind and empathic leader and is truly humbled in receiving her MBE.

"Her family, friends and colleagues in the Wasdale team, along with rescue colleagues across Cumbria, pass on their congratulations and wish her well in her continuing mountain rescue activities."

England netball star Helen Housby has been appointed an MBE

Ms Housby, who has represented the England national netball team since 2014, was awarded the honour for services to the sport.

She played for Manchester Thunder from 2013 to 2016, helping them win the 2014 Super League Grand Final against rivals Surrey Storm.

Since 2017 she has played for the New South Wales Swifts.

Other Cumbrians to be honoured include:

• Joshua MacAlister OBE, of Ennerdale, for services to vulnerable children

• Judith Godden MBE, of Kendal, for services to the community in Westmorland and Lonsdale

• Simon Rogan MBE, chef of Grange-over-Sands, for services to the food industry

• Sean Balmer BEM, of Cockermouth, for services to swimming

• Graham Hundley BEM, of Kendal, for services to the British Red Cross

• Karen Shepperson MBE, of Ambleside, for services to education

• Elsie Martlew MBE, of Carlisle, for political and public service