FOUR local people were awarded MBEs in the New Year's Honours list.

Former Lydney fire station commander Chris Martin, Chepstow Festival chairman Ned Heywood, the Newent-based chairman of the Gloucester Civic Society Robin Morris and Brian Mahoney, the director of Forest Enterprise England, who lives in Monmouth were among 1,195 people honoured.

Mr Martin, who was station commander for 21 years of the 39 years he worked as a retained fireman at Lydney, said he was "surprised and delighted" at the MBE for services to fire and rescue.

He is still manager for the 20 retained stations in Gloucestershire but he said Lydney held a very special place in his affections.

He said: "I'm extremely proud to have served at Lydney. I worked with very good people."

Ned Heywood set up his ceramics workshop in Chepstow in 1983 but he has been honoured for his contribution to the cultural life of the town and Wye Valley.

He co-founded the biennial Chepstow Festival in 1988 and was producer and co-writer of the 10 historical spectaculars at Chepstow and Caldicot castles and Tintern Abbey between 1994 and 2003.

Much of the work has been shared with his partner, Anne Rainsbury who is curator of Chepstow Museum.

Mr Heywood is currently deputy mayor of Chepstow and chairman of the Drill Hall committee which is a leading venue for the arts in the town.

He said: "It was a surprise but everything I've done has depended on the volunteers who turn up and help.

"When I was told about it I was quite embarrassed because it really is Annie who deserves it."