DEDICATION to their profession and selfless charity work by individuals in south Cumbria have been officially recognised by Her Majesty The Queen in her New Years Honours list.

This year, two residents of the area; Charles Godwin, of Cartmel, near Grange, and Major Michael Bolderson, from Millom, are to become Members of the Order of the British Empire.

They are among nine people from across Cumbria to receive an award in the prestigious annual list traditionally published on January 1.

Mr Godwin, 83, said he was shocked to receive a letter from Downing Street in November informing him he had been put forward to receive an MBE for services to charity.

The retired chartered accountant, who is a former partner of the firm PriceWaterhouseCooper, runs the Charles Godwin Charitable Trust - a charity he set up using his own funds 20 years ago to help support local organisations, groups and organisations.

Aided by his wife Bunty, 76, Mr Godwin has granted close to £250,000 through the trust to recipients including Barrow Society for the Blind, Cark village playground, Cartmel Cubs, Cartmel Primary School library, for public access defibrillators in Cartmel and Grange, the Starlight Children's Foundation and Happy Days, St Mary's Hospice and the local branch of Combat Stress.

Mr Godwin said: "We pride ourselves on being able to award grants to projects or individuals who might otherwise not fit the criteria for other funding streams.

"The feedback we have received from recipients is quite remarkable. Sometimes, a small amount of money can be life changing."

Mr Godwin, who is originally from Essex, added: "It's wonderful to receive an award but I had no idea I might be considered. I'm not sure why they should choose me."

Major Bolderson will also receive an MBE for services in support of defense.

Claire Hensman, Lord-lieutenant for Cumbria, issued her congratulations to those awarded a New Years Honour.

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

Among the other recipients were four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah, who has been given a knighthood. He is joined at the top of an honours list heavy with Team GB heroes by tennis world number one Andy Murray, who took gold in Brazil and becomes a knight for services to tennis and charity, while heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill is made a dame.

Others who will claim the title Sir in the new year include Kinks frontman Ray Davies, 72, and veteran comic Ken Dodd, 89, recognised for services to the arts, and entertainment and charity, respectively.

Also among the 1,197 people honoured is American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, 67, who becomes a dame in the diplomatic and overseas list for services to fashion and journalism. Academy and Tony award-winning actor Mark Rylance, 56, is knighted for services to theatre, and opera singer Bryn Terfel gets the same honour for services to music. Keeping Up Appearances actress Patricia Routledge, 87, is made a dame for services to the theatre and charity.