Dozens across the South named in King's Birthday Honours List
An ex-Southampton football manager, Royal Navy officers, and local firefighters, are amongst those recognised
A number of people in Dorset have been recognised as part of the King's Birthday Honours List, released on Friday night (14th June).
The overall list includes some famous faces, like actress Imelda Staunton - who played the late Queen Elizabeth II in drama series The Crown, and Alan Bates - the subpostmaster who led the campaign to have criminal convictions overturned in the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.
Dozens of people across the South have been recognised.
They include ex Southampton manager and TV pundit, Graeme Souness, who has been awarded a CBE for services to association football and charity.
Multiple Portsmouth-based Royal Navy sailors have also been recognised.
They include Commander George Storton, who's received an OBE for his time as Commanding Officer of HMS Defender, which included taking the ship to the High North in 2022 for the largest NATO exercise in 30 years.
Cdr Storton said he was "truly humbled" by the honour, saying that commanding HMS Defender was a career highlight as he witnessed first-hand "the selfless commitment of the Royal Navy's people.
Lieutenant Commander Lyndsay Oldrige was awarded an OBE for her time as Marine Engineering Officer on HMS Medway.
The ship has recently been involved in countering illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean, and operated in the Falklands and South Georgia.
Lt Cdr Oldridge said she was in "complete shock" when she found out she was being honoured, saying she feels "very proud" she has received her award.
Amongst those receiving an MBE is the Chief Operating Officer of the Portsmouth-based Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity Samantha Nicholson.
The charity have described her as its "beating heart" since joining in 2008, as it became the Navy's principal charity.
Ms Nicholson said she was "incredibly honoured" to have been recognised.
Food writer, cookery teacher and chef Charlotte Elizabeth Pike from Wimborne has also got an MBE for services to food education.
British Empire Medals have been awarded to Robert Franks, for services to young people and the community in Poole.
Geoffrey Haywood from Wimborne is awarded a BEM for voluntary services to veterans for his role as a committee member for the Poole branch of the Royal Marines Association.
And there's a BEM for Sharon Wood from Bournemouth - she's the chair of the technical committee of British Gymnastics - and is honoured for services to trampoline gymnastics.
And Hampshire and Isle of Wight firefighter Paul Francis has also been recognised for helping to raise awareness of the risks of fire to vulnerable people.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, the 50-year-old said he was looking forward to an experience he did not reckon he would be a part of.
"It's a collective effort from not only colleagues within the service, but our colleagues from across a range of services to deliver that message," he said.
Mr Francis added his work is "not just about about putting fires out, but also prevention work" that he says has always been his "driver."
Alan Bates has been knighted in recognition of his campaigning work highlighting the Post Office Horizon scandal.
Strictly's Amy Dowden has accepted being made an MBE for her services to Crohn's disease "on behalf" of all those who live with the inflammatory bowel disease.
Actress Imelda Staunton and fashion accessories designer Anya Hindmarch were made dames in the list
The highest award went to Gordon Brown who was made a Companion of Honour,
Artist Tracey Emin was made a Dame alongside Imelda Staunton. Dame Tracey, who is known for her autobiographical and confessional artwork, said: "Dame Tracey has a good ring to it. I'm very, very happy. Another brilliant surprise in my life."
Countdown's lexicographer Susie Dent was given an MBE, as was singer Rebecca Ferguson
Duran Duran singer Simon Le Bon said being made an MBE was "incredible" and "totally unexpected".
He added: "These last few years have been some of the most important in Duran Duran's career, and this is a bright but humbling highlight as our journey continues."
Founding member of M People, as well as a successful solo artist, Heather Small has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's Birthday Honours for her voluntary and charitable services.
Soap star Shobna Gulati has become a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the cultural industries.
Cycling sprint star Mark Cavendish, 39, who is on the overseas list under his Isle of Man address, said he was "truly humbled" to be knighted.