MEN and women throughout the county have been recognised for a variety of services in the New Year Honours list revealed today.

A CBE has been awarded to David Behan, from Tunbridge Wells, for his services to social care.

John Russell Sell, from Faversham, has also received the honour for his services to heritage as chairman of the Joint Committee of National Amenity Services.

Charles Donald Hendry, from Kent Fire and Rescue has been honoured with a Queen's Fire Service Medal.

Lady Pauline Harris, from Edenbridge, near Tonbridge, has received a DBE for charitable services, especially in education and health.

Several people in Kent have been awarded the MBE, including Mohammed Jehangir Choudry, from Tonbridge, for his services to the hearing aid industry and to businesses in Kent as chairman of Puretone.

Magistrate Ann West, chairman of Medway Magistrates' Court, is celebrating after being given an MBE. Mrs West, from Chatham, was awarded the honour for her service to the community.

She has served as a magistrate at the courthouse in The Brook, Chatham, since 1979 and according to colleagues, the honour couldn't have gone to a more deserving person.

Usually a court chairman stays in the post for two years, but Mrs West is now in her third session owing.

Ron Egginton, from Sutton Valence, near Maidstone, received an OBE for his role in the Department of Trade and Industry and Peter Gilroy, from Cranbrook, was awarded an MBE for services to social care as director of social services in Kent.

Andrea John Pierce, form Tonbridge, will also receive an MBE for work with Customs and Excise as well as Christopher John Richards for his Services to the Treasury.

Nearly 20 others are due to receive MBEs including Simon Harrison for his services to special needs education and Judith Ann Keay for services to education at the Kent Institute of Art and Design.