New Malden resident Anne Cann, the chair of trustees for Age Concern Kingston, has been made an MBE in the New Year Honours List.

The 77-year-old, who lives in Cromford Way, said: "You get a letter in mid-November. It's one of those things you get they send you to the tower if you tell anyone.

"It was slight disbelief and also thinking it's not just for me - it is for the organisation."

Mrs Cann has been involved with the charity since 1974 when she began volunteering at Holly Lodge day centre Malden, instrumental in the merger to create Kingston Age Concern in 1999 and chairing the charity since 2008.

She said: "A neighbour was fundraising. I sort of just said 'if ever there's anything I can do to help'.

"Within the next week I was working as a volunteer."

Christine John, who lives in Egmont Road, New Malden, has also been made an MBE for services to the Regional Growth Fund – a £3.2 billion pot to help companies create jobs – as a senior policy advisor at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Her voluntary service to Civil Aid was also a reason for her honour.

Another New Malden resident Michelle Harris, a family recovery project manager at Wandsworth Borough Council, was also made an MBE for services to children and families.

Surbiton Ewell Road resident Stephen Firn, the chief executive of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in South Norwood, was made an OBE for his services to healthcare particularly mental health.