Sub-postmistress appointed OBE in New Year Honours

Former sub-postmistress Seema Misra was wrongly jailed while she was pregnant

A former sub-postmistress who was wrongly jailed while she was pregnant is among the recipients in the New Year Honours list.

Seema Misra, who ran a post office in West Byfleet, Surrey, is one of four leading sub-postmaster campaigners who have been appointed Officers of the British Empire (OBE) for their service to justice.

Meanwhile, homeless charity chairwoman Myfanwy Tothill and social care charity chairwoman Erica Lockhart – both from Leatherhead – also received honours.

Others from Surrey recognised in the list include the founder of Rock Choir, Caroline Redman Lusher, and retired tribunal judge Sehba Storey.

Ms Misra was one of more than 900 sub-postmasters who were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their accounts.

She was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2010 after being accused of stealing £74,000, and received media attention because she gave birth while she was inside.

She said she hoped her recognition in the New Year Honours list would "give more weight to the fight" to help fellow Post Office scandal victims receive full and fair compensation.

"My aim is to be able to show this is still happening and to get proper, full and fair compensation for everybody, and most importantly, accountability," she said.

"It's one of the main reasons I accepted it - to remind people that the scandal hasn't gone yet."

Caroline Redman Lusher, from Farnham, has been appointed an MBE

Ms Redman Lusher, from Farnham, has been appointed an MBE for her services to music and charity after founding the Rock Choir in 2005.

Members of the choir do not need to be able to read music and do not have to go through an audition.

There are currently more than 30,000 members that take part in 400 weekly rehearsal sessions across the UK.

"I feel fortunate every day, not only to be able to work with the greatest pop and rock songs of our time but to share them with the British public and, in turn, improve lives," she said.

Guildford's Elizabeth Jordan (left) won Paralympic gold with her pilot Dannielle Khan

Meanwhile, Guildford's Elizabeth Jordan has been appointed an MBE for her services to cycling.

The 27-year-old, who lost her eyesight after contracting a rare strain of E. coli bacteria through food poisoning, won a gold medal at the Paralympics in Paris in August in the cycling time trial with her pilot, Dannielle Khan.

Chairwoman of LeatherHead Start, Ms Tothill, has been recognised for her services to tackling homelessness in Surrey, while South East Social Care Alliance chairwoman, Ms Lockhart, has been appointed an MBE.

And Dorking's Jane Frankland, the director of KnewStart, has been appointed an MBE for services to women in cybersecurity.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.