SIX people from Wirral are among thousands recognised for 'incredible public service' in the King’s New Year Honours list.

Recipients have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all parts of the UK for their work on areas including sustained public service, youth engagement and community work.

Recipients include John Dennett, 98, from Wallasey, who is President of the Italy Star Association, who has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for voluntary service to Veterans.

After distinguished service as a gunner in the Royal Navy, in 1949 he founded the Ashville youth football club which is still thriving today under his chairmanship and guidance.

Wirral Globe:

John Dennett. Picture: Age UK Wirral

Since retiring he has devoted much of his free time to support veteran causes. He fundraises for the annual Poppy Appeal, and was a founder member of the Royal British Legion City of Liverpool Branch.

He has worked for the Italy Star Association for decades, and in 2019 became the President of the Association

As well as representing the Association, he willingly shares his knowledge by speaking with people and writing articles for their magazine so that the younger generations can learn about his experiences when he served his country.

In November 2019, he participated in the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, in a feature about Monte Cassino and Kohima. He has also represented the Association at events hosted by the Not Forgotten Association, both in the Northwest and in London.

OBEs have been awarded to Sue Higginson, principal and chief executive of Wirral Metropolitan College for services to further education and Karen Howell, chief executive of Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, for services to healthcare.

Wirral Globe:

Wirral Met College principal and chief executive Sue Higginson. Picture: Csilla Szotter

Karen, from Neston, said: "It is such an honour to be recognised for my service to Health Care. This is recognition of a life-time's working.

"I joined the NHS at 15-years old as a Nurse Cadet working whilst still at school on a Saturday morning.

"I have been proud to dedicate my life to the NHS as a nurse and a manager and I feel very privileged to have had such a wonderful career”.

Wirral University Teaching Trust (WUTH) Board Member Lesley Davies OBE has been awarded a CBE.

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Lesley (pictured above) joined WUTH earlier this year after a career in further education and has been awarded for her contribution to Further Education.

Commenting on her CBE, Lesley said: "I am absolutely delighted to receive this honour.  It has been a privilege to have worked with so many amazing staff from across the Further Education sector, who make a difference to the students, and the communities they serve, every day- and I thank them for their dedication and support."

Gillian Rosalind Jones, lately His Majesty's Inspector and deputy director of schools and early Years, Ofsted receives an MBE for services to education

Medallist of the order of the British Empire goes to Toni Hanlon-Crown; Work Group Leader, Child Maintenance Group, Department for Work and Pensions, for services to the community in Merseyside and to the Covid-19 Response.