Scientists, a champion of young people and police officers from our community have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, released last night.

Royston’s Professor Serena Best, professor of materials science at the University of Cambridge, has received a CBE for services to biomaterials engineering.

There is an MBE for Dr Beth Thompson, senior policy adviser to biomedical research charity the Wellcome Trust, who lives in Royston and has been recognised for services to science

And Tony Gearing, who founded the Young People of the Year or ‘YOPEY’ awards in 2005, has also been made an MBE.

Tony started the awards in his home town of Royston before expanding them to Stevenage and Bishop’s Stortford in 2005, North Herts in 2006 and the whole county in 2010.

He now runs the YOPEYs in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, with more held further afield.

He said: “I haven’t achieved this alone. This MBE is for all the young people who have taken part in YOPEYs, whether or not they went on to be shortlisted for one of our lavish awards ceremonies. They are all winners.

“It is also for all the friends I roped in to help – especially members of Royston Round Table – and for my wife Jo, who keeps my nose to the grindstone and gives me some of my best ideas.”

Emergency personnel recognised in the honours list included Herts police deputy chief constable Michelle Dunn and Det Sgt Amerjit Singh of Cambridgeshire police, both of whom have been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service.

Michelle said: “I am both delighted and honoured to be recognised in this way. This award is not just about my contribution to policing, it’s about the talented individuals and teams I have had the pleasure of working with over the years, who have shared the same passion and values about public service and helped me get the job done. “