AMONGST those honoured in the most recent list from the Queen are four local people that have paid great services to their industries.

Colin Diamond, of Wiveliscombe, executive director of education at Birmingham City Council has been awarded a CBE for his services to education.

Mr Diamond started his career in education as a teacher, youth worker and child psychotherapist in inner-London. He took on the role as associate head teacher at an East End London school before moving to the department of education for Birmingham. His roles in Somerset include assistant director for Somerset County Council from 1996-2000, he then moved to North Somerset as director of education in 2000.

The father of three said: " I am very proud to be awarded, absolutely delighted.

"People are really kind when they find out. My friends at work have started calling me 'The Commander'.

"I am overwhelmed with people who I have worked with over my career calling to congratulate me.

"The only thing I wish is that my own mum and dad could have been alive to see this, they would have been ecstatic for me."

Bridget Warr, Wellington, also received a CBE for services to social care and the voluntary sector through her role as chief executive of the United Kingdom Home Care Association.

She said: "I certainly didn't see this coming. I am of course delighted, but it was very surprising.

"I hope it will raise awareness around social care. It is very humbling working in an area I feel so passionate about. To be honoured for all of that is something.

"Next I will be invited to meet a member of the royal family and I guess I will receive a medal of some sort.

"I will be able to put the initials with my name now, which I hope I can use to reinforce the importance of social care."

Before Mrs Warr was the chief executive of the UKHCA, she worked as the chief executive of guide dogs for the blind, a director of SCOPE, amongst other roles within the social care industry.

She was also the chair of the first committee for NICE home care services.

A British Empire Medal was given to Naomi Thomas, of Wellington, founder of the Wedding Wishing Well foundation, a service that aims to provide weddings to terminally ill people.

Mrs Thomas suffers from incurable breast cancer, she was first diagnosed just two days after accepting a proposal from her partner Graham. The couple's wedding was made possible by a wedding planner who heard their story and offered to arrange the wedding for as little money as possible, then Mrs Thomas realised she could use this experience and do the same for others.

Mrs Thomas said: "I am absolutely thrilled to have been awarded a British Empire Medal, although I must say I was a little shocked when I was told.

"I plough eighty hours a week into the charity because, for me, there’s nothing more special than the look a couple exchanges as they say their vows; to know that we’ve played a part in their wedding day is absolutely everything to me.”

Josephine Watts of Minehead also received a BEM for her services to children and families. Mrs Watts' roles include director and chair, community fundraising and networking panel, of Home-Start West Somerset.