Barbara Greggains has dedicated almost 20 years to improving healthcare and was made an MBE in recognition of her long-standing committment.

Mrs Greggains, of Bush Road, Kew, said of her appointment: "I feel very humbled because I know and have seen what wonderful work people do in healthcare - there are many people among them who deserve this."

The first lay representative on the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) council, she also chaired the clinical radiology patients' liaison group who are influential in shaping the way healthcare professionals treat and communicate with patients and their families.

Mrs Greggains' dedication was prompted by the loss of her sister to oesophageal cancer in 1988. "It was then that I set up the Kathy Shaw Memorial (Oesophageal Cancer) Fund, a charity to raise money for cancer research. It was that which took me into branches of healthcare," she said.

Full of admiration for the work of radiologists who are involved in the treatment of cancer and diagnosing disease, Mrs Greggains said: "Many people do not understand what the radiologists do. They have to pick up disease anywhere in the body and have very long training."

Aside from her work with the RCR Mrs Greggains also sat on the Ealing and Hounslow Health Authority, on National Institute for Clinical Excellence committees and has worked with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. "All my appointments were as a volunteer lay person to try and improve healthcare for patients," she said.

The former market and social research director is unaware of who nominated her for the honours list: "I just received a letter from the Prime Minister mid-November to say I had been put forward."

A businessman with a nose for healthy nutrition has been awarded a CBE for services to the food industry.

As former president of the Food and Drink Federation, Gavin Neath, of Lebanon Park, Twickenham worked with the Government on nutritional matters. In the role, he campaigned to educate the nation's tastebuds by reducing salt levels in processed food.

Mr Neath, who is also national manager at food manufacturers Unilever, said the task was not straightforward: "The important thing was to realise cutting down salt couldn't be done over night. When given the option, people always choose salty foods due to a taste preference.

"So in a sense, it had to be reduced gradually over time as we were weaning people off the taste of salt. This approach worked well and should have a positive effect on people's cardiovascular health."

Having worked at Unilever for over 30 years, Mr Neath brought considerable experience to the federation table. "Nutrition is important to Unilever, important to society and important to me personally," he said.

Pleasantly surprised to have been appointed CBE in the new year's honours, Mr Neath said: "I really have no idea who nominated me and I am looking forward to the event."

As a former ballroom world champion Hazel Newberry is used to nerves, and even more used to winning awards.

Her glittering career in the fiercely competitive world of fake tan and sequins took her across the globe, but now she is set to scoop an award closer to home after being made an MBE.

Now retired, the 32-year-old Barnes resident made her name as one half of a duo with Christopher Hawkins and together they were world champions from 2002-2004. She also appeared in one episode of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, alongside former Top Gear presenter Quentin Wilson.

Hazel, who has been dancing since the age of six, said it had just always seemed so natural to her.

"It just seemed to be totally me, I just could not get enough of it.

"The performing side of it was brilliant, I loved watching people's faces and they were enjoying what we were doing. It was a two-way thing."

Hazel and Christopher were probably best known for their success in the quickstep, but the pair also excelled in the four other ballroom dances - tango, foxtrot, waltz and the Viennese waltz.

She said: "We trained about four times a week in the gym, but in the run up to a competition we would practice every night, six times a week.

"We were also both teachers and with all the travelling, it was a hectic schedule.

"I think people are only just realising how much work it is being a ballroom dancer, thanks to shows like Strictly Come Dancing.

"We are athletes, but people see the gliding across the floor as effortless."

The now judge and teacher has not ruled out another appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, despite her extremely short stint last time.

She said: "Quentin Wilson was lovely, but unfortunately nerves got the better of him on the show.

"He said he had never danced before and found it very hard to change from foot to foot, but he did get the routine in the end and was so proud of himself."

Describing her MBE as the pinnacle' of her career, she said: "I just did not expect it, it's still sinking in at the moment.

"It's really for all the team around me and the people that supported me."



Teddington's Colin Hicks was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for services to science The Order of the Bath is almost 300 years old and is only awarded to state servants, civil or military. Dr Hicks, 60, who worked in the department of trade and industry for 31 years until retiring last year, said he was surprised to be given the honour.

He said: "I had not expected to receive an honour and I know the quality of the people who have been awarded the CB. I would not put myself in comparison to them."

Dr Hicks, who was director general at the British National Space Centre for the past seven years, said he found it difficult not to tell anyone that he had been approached in November about the honour.

Dr Hicks said the first time he knew for certain he had been awarded the CB was when he was contacted by the BBC last Friday afternoon.

He said he was delighted that the honour had been given for services to science as, despite having a PhD in physical chemistry, he worked mainly as an administrator and policy maker for the past 25 years.

Dr Hicks is also involved in the Teddington community having worked in key leadership roles at Teddington Baptist Church and run the website for the Teddington Society.

He paid tribute to Duncan Davies and Ron Coleman, who he worked with at the department of trade and industry, describing them as his mentors.

Almost 20 years of service at a Teddington school has been recognised in the new year's honours with teacher Anthea Cooper made an MBE.

Mrs Cooper, who has taught at Collis Primary School for 18 years and been teaching since 1965, said she was overwhelmed to receive the honour.

"It has been an unexpected whirlwind," she said. "It was a wonderful shock and I couldn't have considered it happening."

David Butterfield, headteacher at the Fairfax Road school, said Collis was responsible for putting Mrs Cooper, who now works part-time with infant children, forward for the MBE and started the process around 18 months ago.

"I got a number of people to put together a report on her and we submitted it 12-15 months ago," he explained. "Every time the list came out we looked to see if she was there and I began to feel we were close this time."

"It is thrilling, it is an honour for the school and no-one is more deserving than Anthea, who has given a life time of commitment to children and she still has the drive and energy she had when she started."

Mrs Cooper, 63, added: "I didn't really realise that what I had enjoyed doing meant so much to everyone else. I just love teaching and making a difference to children."

Other new year's honours include: · Dr Elizabeth Carole Martin, Barnes. Former director of Public Health and Medical Director for Kingston Primary Care Trust. MBE for services to medicine.

· Stephen Carter, Barnes. Former Chief Executive, Ofcom. CBE for services to communications industry.

· William Hugh Yates. Former deputy chairman, Suzy Lamplugh Trust, previously based in Barnes. MBE for services to charity.

· Nigel Alaistar Patrick Turner. Assistant garden supervisor at Hampton Court Palace.

· Air Commodore Charles Henry Clarke. Richmond, CBE for services to the Royal Air Force's ex-prisoners of war association.

· Angelo Manorajah, Twickenham. Financial Director of Fairbridge. MBE for services to disadvantaged young.

· Sally Greene, owner of the Old Vic Productions who began her career by raising funds for Richmond Theatre. OBE for services to Drama.