A host of people from the Elmbridge area have been recognised in the New Year Honours List.

  • The Vice-Chancellor of Kingston University, Professor Peter Scott, is to be knighted for his services to higher education. Sir Peter, 60, said the award reflected the hard work of many. He said: "On a personal note it's very nice but I don't see it as a personal award. It's a collective thing. It's really good for the university." Kingston University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, professor Mary Stuart, said: "The award is a fitting tribute to Peter's distinguished career in higher education. His insights into the changing nature of higher education and knowledge creation have been a vital contribution to the sector and these achievements have been symbolised by this honour. It is exceedingly good news for the university which I am sure, under his leadership, will go from strength to strength in 2007." Sir Peter was educated at Oxford where he studied history, and later spent 16 years as editor of the Times Higher Education Supplement before taking on the role of pro vice-chancellor for external affairs at the University of Leeds.
  • Stephanie Trotter from Claygate has been awarded an OBE for services to health and safety in the gas industry. As president of CO-Gas Safety Mrs Trotter has been instrumental in campaigning to get the issue of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning recognised at Government level. Mrs Trotter said: "I am thrilled to have been awarded an OBE and fervently hope that it will progress the work of preventing unnecessary deaths and injuries from CO and other gas dangers. "Twelve years is a long time to devote to trying to persuade Government and industry to undertake a warning campaign about the dangers of CO, similar to the anti-smoking and anti-drink driving campaigns shown on prime time TV. CO is more of a hidden danger and can easily be prevented." Mrs Trotter has previously been involved with a campaign to licence children's activity centres and as a barrister she practiced and lectured at the Inns of Court School of Law for nine years.
  • A senior governance adviser from Surbiton has been awarded an OBE for public services overseas. Dr Garth Glentworth has been closely involved with Britain's aid effort in developing countries by helping to construct state systems - like law and order - in devastated areas. The semi-retired Mr Glentworth said Britain still had a vital role to play in developing countries and that the award was more than a personal achievement.

"I would like to think it recognises the importance of our work," he said. Over the last 10-15 years his work has taken him to Liberia and Sudan, and the 63-year-old said he would like to continue serving in the future. He added that aid work at Government level should be mirrored by campaign work at local level. He said: "It requires help from outside. It can't be decisive but it's very important."

  • Former Kingston director of public health Dr Carole Martin has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List for services to medicine. Dr Martin, who retired in March last year, was Kingston Primary Care Trust's (PCT) director of public health and medical director since the PCT was set up in April 2002. Before then she was the director of public health for Kingston and Richmond Health Authority. Her long career in public health medicine included working in the Far East, with field work in Bombay and lecturing in Singapore. Carole was particularly passionate to ensure that the improvement of the health of all the local population in Kingston remained a key priority in the PCT's strategic planning. Since retiring, Carole has been spending time in her homes in France and in South West London.

Neslyn Watson-Druee, the PCT's Chairman, said: "I am delighted that Carole Martin's achievements in public health have been recognized with this honour. The PCT Board have sent their congratulations and best wishes to Carole."

  • The actress and Elmbridge resident Penelope Keith, 66, was awarded the CBE for her services to charity. Her work includes being president of the Actors' Benevolent Fund.
  • Dr Jennifer Anne Woolfe of Thames Ditton was awarded an MBE for services to nutrition.
  • District judge Michael John Walker received a CBE, for services to the administration of justice.
  • For more people from the New Year Honours List click here.