Four people, heroes in their own spheres, have been awarded some of the country’s highest honours.

The 2016 New Year Honours have been announced, with Medway’s Philip Steven Mason, Vanessa Ann Jones, Douglas Moutrie and Dr Ashley Lupin among the hundreds listed.

Mrs Jones was flabbergasted when she received a call from her husband of 26 years, Martin, back in November to say he’d opened her post and she was to received a British Empire Medal.

The 53-year-old co-founded the Bredhurst Woodland Action Group in 2005 and for the past 10 years has worked tirelessly with volunteers to restore 600 acres of ancient forest around the village.

A dentist at his practice in Chatham for 40 years was also awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours list for his charitable medical work in Uganda.

Dr Ashley Lupin has spent many years travelling to Bwindi to perform dentistry, raise money and collect drugs and equipment for a hospital.

He even sponsored a young man to qualify as a dentist.

At the grand age of 95 Doug Moutrie received the MBE this year for services to people with disabilities in Kent.

Thirty years ago he was the founding member of the Medway/Swale Panel for Remap, a charity which improves the quality of life of disabled people by making tailor-made special equipment at no cost.

Philip Steven Mason, from Gillingham was also awarded an OBE for services to International Anti-Corruption Policy.

Mr Mason works for the Department for International Development (DFID) as senior adviser.

For the full details and interviews with those honoured see the Medway Messenger of Monday, January 4.