LOCAL volunteers have been recognised by the Queen for their community and charitable work in Sedgemoor in this year’s New Year Honours List.

Maureen Hudson, from Bridgwater, who is chairman of the Musgrove Leukaemic Group Somerset, South West, was awarded an MBE for her services to healthcare.

And Stogursey couple Anthony and Elizabeth Harris received the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their services to the community.

Mrs Hudson said: “I’m absolutely elated – I’m very honoured but it’s only with the help of so many other people that I could have received it.

“I’ve had so many phone calls from people, even from my school days.”

Mrs Hudson, of Linden Close, spoke of how after finding out about the award she struggled to keep it a secret.

She said: “I found out in November and it really was a hard secret to keep – it would just be so easy to let something like that slip.

“When I first opened the letter informing me it was such a shock and I was a little bit embarrassed actually – it was a combination of everything – I actually cried a little bit, I was so proud.”

Mrs Hudson was one of the founders of the Musgrove Leukemic Group Somerset in 1978, a charity that raises money for leukaemia and lymphoma patients and their families in Somerset.

“I’ve been doing it for 37 years and we’ve just passed the £3million mark,” she said.

“It started just as something small and it really is down to everyone involved that we’ve managed to get this far.”

Mr and Mrs Harris were put forward for their tireless work in the Stogursey community.

Mr Harris, a former governor at Stogursey C of E Primary School, was awarded the BEM for his lifelong contribution to the community.

His wife, Elizabeth, who works as a lollipop lady also received the BEM.

The pair have played an important part in raising funds for the village hall and other charity events in the village.