TWO Forest sports stars were among the hundreds of people from all walks of life who were recognised in the New Year’s Honours.

Lydney’s Andy Lewis – who became Great Britain’s first-ever Paralympics triathlon gold medallist at the Games in Rio this summer – was awarded the MBE while Olympic equestrian gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin of Newent was ‘promoted’ from an OBE to a CBE, Commander of the British Empire.

Among the other local people honoured was the leader of Monmouthshire County Council, Cllr Peter Fox, who received an OBE.

Andy said he was “amazed” to receive the honour which rounded off an incredible year which also saw him become European and world triathlon champion.

He said: “I can hardly believe that a lad from the Forest of Dean has been honoured in this way.

“I had a letter from the Cabinet Office at the end of November saying I’d been nominated for an MBE and had to keep it quiet.”

Andy, who lost his lower right leg in an accident in 1999, said he hoped his story would inspire others to take up sport.

Andy, who has visited several schools since his Rio victory, said: “Inspiring others is a really big thing for me.”

Cllr Fox received his OBE for his services to the “Cardiff capital region”, a collaboration between 10 local authorities in south Wales.

The Conservative councillor for Port­skewett said: “I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and support.

“I have always felt privileged to be a public servant and never expected recognition for it, but I am so thrilled to have been included in the Queen’s New Years Honours list.

“I could not have achieved much in my political career without the support of the people around me and the communities I serve.”

There was also an OBE for former Monmouth GP Dr Peter Steiner who set up Hands Around the World, a charity helping children in Africa, in 1993.

The organisation works in countries such as Rwanda and Uganda to give children an education.

Patricia Dodd, who is also from Monmouth, received an MBE.

She is chief methodology officer with the UK Statistics Authority and was honoured for services to statistics and research.