New Year Honours for local heroes

Recipients of the MBE and other honours are from all walks of life

The mother of a murdered teenager, a 92-year-old scoutmaster and the leader of a choir for people with dementia are just three of the English local heroes named in the New Year Honours list.

The awards recognise services to charity, education, industry, policing, sport and healthcare, as well as helping the community.

In total there are 322 British Empire Medals (BEM), 503 MBEs and 222 OBEs.

Women make up more than half of the honourees, with 603 on the list.

The Queen spoke in her Christmas message this year of how she was inspired by the actions of ordinary people.

"I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, community organisers and good neighbours; unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special," she said.

Marcia Shakespeare from Birmingham, the mother of Letisha, who was shot dead by gangsters in January 2003, is to be awarded the MBE. She has worked to provide young people with life opportunities and education through her own foundation and she also works closely with West Midlands Police to highlight the consequences of violent crime.

Fab Flournoy is receiving the MBE for services to basketball and the North East

Basketball player and coach Fabulous Flournoy, 43, is receiving the MBE both for his services to the sport and to the community in the North East.

Born in New York, he had a very disadvantaged upbringing but obtained a contract to play basketball in England, going on to lead the Newcastle Eagles to 18 separate trophy victories since 2005, including six league titles in nine years.

The Newcastle Eagles have been active in the local community with projects such as Hoops4Health, which teaches healthy living to 12,000 schoolchildren every year. Mr Flournoy has also spent time in Young Offender's Institutes working with inmates and has supported homelessness charities.

Heather Edwards, 63, from Norwich receives the BEM for services to people with dementia.

Her group Come Singing aims to provide therapeutic stimulation for people with dementia.

Future honours lists will focus on services and work with children and young people, people who work to encourage social mobility and people who work in enterprise and business.

Lianne Tapson is being awarded an MBE for services to sport and Lincolnshire

Lianne Tapson, who chairs Grantham Tennis Club, is being awarded the MBE for services to sport and the community in Lincolnshire.

The 50-year-old has secured funding for the club to expand and it now has wheelchair members and is planning to support people with learning difficulties to compete at the Special Olympics in 2017.

Det Sgt Sarbjit Kaur, Merseyside Police's only Sikh female officer, is being made an MBE for services to policing.

The 43-year-old has developed the force's understanding of "honour"-based violence.

Devan Witter will receive a British Empire Medal for his work to tackle bullying

Devan Witter, 19, from Market Weighton, East Yorkshire, will receive a British Empire Medal for his work on a project tackling bullying.

He founded Action Against Bullying, which helps children as young as eight years old, through campaigning and raising awareness about the issue and also provides support to teachers.

After holding a number of senior posts in the Scout Association, Maurice Brunton receives the MBE at the age of 92.

Mr Brunton, from Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, is credited with increasing the number of scouts in Middlesbrough and Gainsborough and the opportunities available to them.

Jacqueline Johnston-Lynch, 54, from Liverpool, is receiving the BEM for services to veteran support.

She co-founded Tom Harrison House, the first UK veterans' addiction treatment centre in 2013.