MEET the Reading heroes and heroines who have been recognised by HM The Queen in her New Year's Honours.

Among those to receive an honour were Professor Rosalind Richards, head of the International Study and Language Institute (ISLI) at the University of Reading, Rodney Huggins, founding member of the Rotary Club of Loddon Vale and Pamela Reynolds, who volunteers to help the integration of Gurkha families in the town.

Professor Richards was made an OBE for her services to language and supporting international education.

She said: "It’s wonderful that my field of work has been recognised and indeed my part in developing this at the University of Reading, for the benefit of its students and international partners.

"I have lived in Reading for over 30 years and have seen significant positive developments in both the town and the University, during that time."

The Professor, who will be retiring from her role as head of the ISLI in June next year after 21 years of service, added: "The University achieves excellence in so many fields and much of its best research and teaching contribute to solving real-world issues.

"I enjoy working with such interesting colleagues in a campus setting which fosters excellent opportunities for collaboration across the disciplines."

Since joining the University in 1996, Professor Richards has held many prominent roles, including director of Centre for Applied Language Studies.

She has represented the University in a number of international projects, travelling to destinations such as China and Sri Lanka to assist with teaching and building initiatives.

Ms. Reynolds was awarded a British Empire Medal for her dedication in helping to integrate Gurkha families in Reading.

The volunteer has helped hundreds of Nepalese women learn English and is involved with a variety of organisations, including Reading Ex-British Gurkha Association and Forgotten British Gurkha charities.

She said: "I was surprised and amazed that the project had been nationally recognised. Reading as a community has been wonderfully supportive and welcoming to the Gurkha community and the Gurkhas, who have shown their loyalty and courage to the the crown over 200 years and want so much to be part of our community.

"I would like to thank the fantastic volunteers who make the project work. Turning up each week, preparing work, giving their friendship freely to our students and supporting each other."

Rodney Huggins, chair of The Reading Foundation, has been made a MBE for services to Reading’s community and he said he was astonished by the news that he was included in the New Year's Honours.

Mr Huggins is a founding member of the Rotary Club of Loddon Vale and was president in 1979/80 before moving on to become district treasurer.

He said: "My first reaction was astonishment, as I had no idea previously I was being nominated and my age was a factor. My family have resided in Reading since 1792 and were, until 1933, bakers.

"For the past 10 years I have been chairman of the trustees of the Reading Foundation, a charity owning the freehold of Reading School and assisting the school financially. I have also been a Reading School governor for the last eight years."

Other notable honourees included Paralympian Daniel Brown, who was awarded an MBE for his services to rowing, while Kathleen Slack - director of Enterprise M3 - was recognised with an OBE for her contribution to the economy and community in the south east.

1,047 people have been given recognised in the New Year's Honours list, with Britain's Olympians representing a strong proportion of the recipients.