A LUNCHTIME supervisor at a school in Crewe has been recognised for her service to her local community.

Shirley Irlam, who started working at Wistaston Academy in 1970 receives a British Empire Medal in the newly announced New year's Honours List.

She is recognised for services to education after serving for 50 years.

"I was a mother of five children, but I would say the school is number six," she says.

During her five decades at the school, she said there had been many changes, but added colleagues had been great to work with.

Another recipient of an honour is Sara Williams from Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry who has been awarded an OBE

Ms Williams, from Liverpool, has served the chamber of commerce in Staffordshire for 11 years, said she felt her OBE was a reward for the work the group had done during the coronavirus pandemic.

"I care passionately about Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and the businesses and the people there," she said.

She also said the honour was recognition for the hard work of her colleagues.

Also receiving an OBE is Michael Lloyd from Crewe, the chief executive of Stoke-on-Trent Classics.

He is honoured for his services to classical music.

Deirdre Drake, from Crewe, the founder of The Toy Appeal is also given an OBE.

Dee, as she is known, says: "I founded The Toy Appeal in 2013 with my husband. Unable to have children we felt lost, without a purpose, isolated and especially sad at Christmas time. We decided to start The Toy Appeal after discovering so many children in our region would be waking up on Christmas morning without presents to open.

"We started small, providing toy sacks costing £25 for 500 children. We have now provided Christmas sacks to many thousands of children.

"I couldn't be prouder and I have definitely found my purpose in life. I love the Toy Appeal and we don't just help thousands of children every year, we have 500 volunteers who gain so much from their work for the Toy Appeal."

The incoming chair at Cheshire College South West, Lesley Davies (pictured), has been made an CBE.

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