THE LORD Lieutenant of Cumbria has announced the New Year's Honours nominations.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, Mrs Claire Hensman, has announced several Cumbrians who will be receiving a UK Honour in 2017, and has also encouraged local residents to consider nominating more people from across the county.

The Honours system recognises people who have made achievements in public and community life, and are committed to making a difference to those around them.

Charles Richard Godwin of Grange over Sands will be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), for services to charity.

Jennifer Foote from Eden has been awarded an MBE in this year’s New Year honours list for services to further education.

And Frank Duncan Hamlett of Carnforth will become a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to charity.

Anyone can nominate someone for a UK Honour through the 'open access' system and these are awarded to people from all walks of life.

The final decision as to who receives an honour is first decided by an Honours Committee and their recommendations will then go to the Prime Minister and finally to HM The Queen.  

On approval – and the process can take up to 18 months - an announcement of recipients will be made in HM The Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June.

Claire Hensman, Lord-Lieutenant for Cumbria, said: “I would encourage people to think about someone that they know who always goes the extra mile for others and who has made a special contribution to their community or to their area of work over the years.

"Anyone can nominate a person for an honour and I am very keen for people who have given exceptional service to the community to receive the recognition they deserve.

"These awards are special and for me they are the highest possible recognition of a job well done.”

Nomination forms can be found at http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/council-democracy/councillors-democracy-elections/lordlieutenant/nominations.asp