City's finest feature in New Year's Honours

'THE BEST OF BRITAIN' - PRIME MINISTER

- By JANET KING

PROUD Plymouth residents and workers are among those being recognised by His Majesty The King in his 2026 New Year's Honours.

Among them are Professor Sonia Blandford, Professor of Social Mobility at Plymouth Marjon University, for her services to Education - she becomes a Dame.

Also Professor Christopher Tredwin, lately Head of the Peninsula Dental School at the University of Plymouth, who is made an MBE. Prof Tredwin was appointed Head of the Peninsula Dental School in 2012, before being elected in 2020 as the new Chair of the Dental Schools Council.

Others include Samantha Abrahams, founder and musical director of La La Choirs, who is awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in Devon.

Also awarded BEMs are Gillian Ainslie, of Plymouth Life Centre bowls club, for services to the community in Plymouth; and Lesley Ann Simpson, chief executive at The Chestnut Appeal, for services to Men's Health.

The military are also well represented in this year's Honours - 27 sailors and Royal Marines are being honoured by The King.

Among them is Plymouth-based Warrant Officer Angie Cheal, who is made an MBE for her tireless efforts over the past eight years dedicated to the welfare and recovery of fellow Naval personnel so they can resume their careers - or, if unable, build new lives in civvy street.