A NUMBER of people from north Cumbria have been recognised in The Queen's New Year Honours List for their hard work and ability to make a difference where they live.

The Honours system gives national recognition to people who have given exceptional service in public and community life and are committed to making a difference to those around them.

On the Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) list was Mrs Sajdah Perveen Ghafoor for services to Cultural Awareness and Integration in Cumbria.

On the Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) list were Mrs Margaret Emma Bravo - Manager, St Peter's Pre-School, Carlisle - for services to Education; and Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Timothy Brian Jackson Coombe for services to the community in Brampton.

The Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) were Mr Jonathan Gibson for services to Cricket Coaching and to Youth Development, and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Group Manager, John Craig Wall, for charitable services in the county.

Jonathan Gibson, who has coached England cricketer, Ben Stokes, said his passion for mentoring has rewarded him in far more ways than seeing former players who learnt under him going on to play at a national level.

"I get as much satisfaction as seeing Ben competing out on the tv for England as I do about somebody who is playing cricket for the first time who can't catch a cricket ball and the learn how [to do that].

"That is as satisfying because that child has developed."

Jonathan has also played an instrumental role in developing women's cricket in Cockermouth.

Above all else, he wanted to thank those who helped make his achievements possible.

He added: "I couldn't have achieved what I have over the last 25 years and being nominated for this award without the help and support of coaches, teachers, groundsmen, administrators, and the parents.

"I learnt a lot in my coaching career from Ian Clark, Malcolm Wood, John Bryson and the late Dave Morewood."

Saj Ghafoor said she couldn't "quite put it into words" what being named on the honours list means to her.

"My faith has played a large part in what I do and this journey has been full of experiences that have influenced me, strengthened my faith and made me grateful for all that I have been blessed with," she said.

"We share much more than that which divides us, and having more opportunities to come together to break down barriers and talk to each other has taught me so much."

Margaret Bravo said she was “so excited” to have been named on the list and said she will be going with her son to get her medal.

She said: “It’s marvellous. People who are 84 don’t [normally] get something like this.

“I am excited also for the people who have supported me over the years.

“I’ve got children, whose parents I taught and whose grandparents I taught.”