AN educationalist and the vice chair of a South Wales health board have both been named in the Queen's New Years honours list.

Dr Paul Lasseter Phillips, who lives in Chepstow, is vice principal and chief executive of Weston College in Weston-Super-Mare. He has been awarded an OBE for services to further education and the voluntary sector.

Dr Phillips has 12 years of experience working for further education colleges and came to Weston in 2001, during which time academic results have risen to a 100 per cent rate and the college's turnover gone from £9m to more than £28m.

Most recently, Dr Phillips was awarded an honorary doctorate of letters by Bath Spa University for services to further education and the development of higher education courses.

He cites his interests as walking, watching professional wrestling and canal restoration.

Miss Susan Vida Kent, who lives in Caldicot, is vice chair of the Aneurin Bevan Health Board, which is responsible for the delivery of health care to more than 600,000 people living in Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Newport and Torfaen. The board employs more than 6,000 nurses and health professionals along with 1,000 hospital doctors and GPs. It is also responsible for three major acute hospitals and 18 community hospitals, including Chepstow.

Miss Kent, who is awarded an MBE for services to the NHS, is also chair of the board for South East Wales Cancer Network.