A POLICE officer, a charity worker and the leader of Gloucestershire County Council have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours in the Cotswolds.

Councillor Mark Hawthorne was awarded the MBE for services to local government.

He is one of the youngest council leaders in the country and was Gloucestershire County Council’s youngest ever leader when he took over in 2010, at the age of 35.

Peter Bungard, chief executive of the council, said: “I am so delighted that Mark’s contribution to local government has been recognised in the New Year Honours List.

“He is one of the most capable politicians in the entire local government sector, and has made a massive personal contribution for well over a decade, leading both Gloucester City Council and the county council during this time.”

Christine Yarborough, a senior organiser at the Banbury and Chipping Norton Home-Start, was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Children and Families.

Martyn Hillier, of Gloucestershire Police, was also recognised in the New Year’s honours, with a Queen’s Police Medal.

He said “I am extremely grateful and privileged to receive this honour. It was totally unexpected, in fact when I was first told of this I thought that someone was pulling my leg.

“I have been linked with Gloucestershire Constabulary for over 40 years, with most of those as a motorcycle officer and I have achieved many things.

"I am particularly proud of my achievements in motorcycle safety for which I have been involved with for over 35 years.”