AN 89-year-old woman with 60 years of volunteering under her belt is preparing for an audience with the Queen after being named in the annual Birthday Honours List.

Marie Vyse, of Dorchester Close, Cliffe Woods, has been made an MBE for services to the community. Marie, who is delighted with the honour, first began volunteering when she moved to Cliffe at the age of 25.

She set up a youth club with her friend in 1948. During the past six decades she has also supported youth clubs, ladies clubs, churches, schools, village halls and many more.

She has sat on various committees and helped to raise funds to keep many local groups going over the years.

She said: "I volunteer because it gives me a great deal of pleasure. I have met a lot of friends over the years."

Linda Tout, 60, of Sundridge Drive, Walderslade, was also made an MBE for services to young people. Linda has been working with youngsters for more than 40 years.

She set up the Walderslade branch of the Young Searchers, a Chrsistan group for girls aged five to 18 years, more than 10 years ago. Linda works with the girls to help them achieve their Adventure Challenge and Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Professor David Melville CBE, vice-chancellor of the University of Kent, received a Knights Bachelor award, for services to higher and further education.

The Kent list in full:

KNIGHTS BACHELOR:

Professor David Melville, CBE. Vice-Chancellor, University of Kent. For services to Higher and Further Education. (Canterbury, Kent)

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ORDER OF THE BATH, CB:

Rear Admiral Kim John Borley. (Tonbridge, Kent)

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ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE:

CBE

Miss Audrey Caroline Brown. Deputy director, Schools Analysis and Research Division, Department for Education and Skills. (Orpington, Kent)
William Ian Griffiths, BEM, QPM. Formerly Deputy assistant commissioner, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to the Police. (Chislehurst, Kent)

OBE

Paul Newman Hudson Clokie. Leader, Ashford Borough Council. For services to Local Government. (Ashford, Kent)
David John Hewer, TD, DL. Formerly assistant chief Investigation Officer, Maritime Branch, HM Revenue and Customs. (Orpington, Kent)
Barry Charles Jenkins. Chair, Cinema Exhibitors' Association Ltd. For services to the Film Industry. (Bexley, Kent)
Mrs Christina Louise Parry. Operations director, Managed Migration, Border and Immigration Agency, Home Office. (Beckenham, Kent)

MBE

Robert James Ashby. Art Handler, Royal Academy of Arts. For services to Art. (Welling, Kent)
Mrs Margaret Borley. Coach, Tonbridge Bobcats Youth Baseball Team. For services to Sport. (Tonbridge, Kent)
Gordon Walter Fortescue. For services to the community in Ashford, Kent. (Ashford, Kent)
Mrs Julia Caroline Hands. Chief executive and Chair, Hand Picked Hotels. For services to the Hospitality Industry. (Sevenoaks, Kent)
Frederic William Jaeger. Policy Adviser, Civil Service Commissioners, Cabinet Office. (Ashford, Kent)
John Ramsay Maitland. For services to Aviation. (Tenterden, Kent)
Mrs Helen Norris. Head Teacher, Phoenix Children's Resource Centre, and head of Pre-School Specialist Support Services, Bromley, London. (Tatsfield, Kent)
Ellis David Murray Parker. Higher Catering Officer, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to the Police. (Longfield, Kent)
Thomas Michael Pearson. For services to Cruse Bereavement Care. (Hythe, Kent)
Donald Penny. For services to the community in the South East. (Welling, Kent)
Mrs Rosemary Rice. Senior Classroom Teacher, Kentish Town Church of England Primary School, Camden, London. For services to Education. (London, NW5)
Frederick Edward Rolleston. For charitable services through the Paula Carr Trust, Shepway, Kent. (Romney Marsh, Kent)
Peter Saunders. Vice-Chair, Mid-Kent College Governing Body. For services to Further Education. (Maidstone, Kent)
Mrs Jenny Seatherton. For services to Deaf People in the Diocese of Canterbury. (Canterbury, Kent)
Mrs Linda Ann Tout. Founder and Leader, Young Searchers Charity, Kent. For services to Young People. (Chatham, Kent)
Mrs Marie Agnes Vyse. For services to the community in Cliffe Woods, Kent. (Rochester, Kent)
Michael Wilkins. Formerly director of Sports, University of Kent. For services to Higher Education and to Sport. (Canterbury, Kent)
William Peter Williams. Formerly Chair, Canterbury Festival. For services to the Arts in Kent. (Faversham,Kent)
Ms Norma Winstone. Jazz Musician and Singer. For services to Music. (Deal, Kent).

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QUEEN'S POLICE MEDAL, QPM:

James Barker-McCardle. Deputy chief Constable, Kent Police.