PEOPLE from across Salisbury have been honoured for their dedication to helping others and making a difference.

Volunteers, civil servants and Army personnel have been named in the New Year Honours list, published on Friday.

One of those to pick up a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) was Dr Cerys Rees, of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dtsl) at Porton Down.

Dr Rees said she was “thrilled” to receive in OBE in recognition of her success in establishing the facility for the analysis and identification of chemical and biological weapons, adding that it was recognition for the whole team.

“It is an honour in every sense and I’m delighted to receive the award. My family often wonder what I do when I’m called away for work, and this is a chance for them to be part of things,” Dr Rees added.

Another on the OBE list was Salisbury author Tim Tatton-Brown who was honoured for his services to heritage.

The 70-year-old has had a number of books published about the architectural history of both Salisbury Cathedral and St Thomas’s Church in the city centre.

East Grimstead resident Jean Beauchamp’s efforts to help young people in the village of Lockerly, in Hampshire have been also rewarded with an MBE.

The citation for her award said that Mrs Beauchamp has given “diverse and unflagging voluntary service” to the community for the past 50 years.

She also organises the East Grimstead September Club to allow elderly people to meet and is one of the organisers of the village’s flower show.

“She has given her time freely to her community and has played a key and active part in running and organising youth organisations,” the citation added.

There is also an MBE for Major Adam Birley, who serves with the Royal Engineers at Perham Down.