King honours two local heroes

A Hartlepool music teacher who has dedicated almost 60 years of his life to helping young people has been made a MBE.

- Mark Payne

Chris Simmons has spoken of his pride at being added to the King's Birthday Honours List for services to education.

He devoted his career to teaching music and upon retirement has continued to work in education and support young musicians.

Chris, 80, said: "I feel quite honoured to have been offered the opportunity to take the MBE. It's quite a feather in the cap for Hartlepool as well.

"Although I've done quite a lot of work, it's also a credit to all of the other people working with me in the background to achieve what we have."