THE business half of a husband and wife partnership that has been promoting classical music in St Briavels, Monmouth and Ross over the last 20 years has received an OBE in the New Year Honours.

Edgar Biss, who runs Tellermate, a company specialising in cash management systems, received his award for services to export. He lives in Llandogo with his wife Maggie, where both are involved in bringing leading classical music performers to Forest and Wye Valley audiences.

Over the past six years Tellermate, now based in Cardiff and with a manufacturing base in Newport, has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise four times.

Mr Biss told the Review on Tuesday morning he was "delighted" with his award which had come as a complete surprise.

Other local people honoured, this time with MBEs, were Mrs Susan Timbrell of Longhope, a pensions specialist, for services to the Environment Agency, and Mrs Gwen Morgan for services to home care in Ross-on-Wye.

Mrs Timbrell, who was born in Rodley and later moved to Huntley when she was married and finally Longhope, said she was "thrilled to bits" with the honour.

She has been working for the Environment Agency for many years, latterly at their base near Bristol, and says she never expected her work would lead to an MBE.

Gwen Morgan was out running errands on Tuesday morning despite retiring from Herefordshire Community Services on September 4. A Herefordshire County Council spokesman said it was a well-earned honour – she had given 32 years' service to the community and was a well loved and respected carer.