COMMUNITY stalwarts from Breconshire and Radnorshire have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year's Honours.

Roger Bright, a town councillor in Knighton who has also served as the mayor of the borders town, has picked up the British Empire Medal as has Patricia Margery Davies of Llangynidr.

Cllr Bright was recognised for voluntary service to the community in and around Knighton while Ms Davies was rewarded for services to the community in her home village.

Also awarded the BEM was Penry Alan Lewis, of Rhayader, for services to conservation and angling in Mid Wales.

The former director of farming union NFU Cymru Mary James has been named an MBE in the list for her services to agriculture in Wales.

She worked on behalf of the agricultural industry in Wales for over 37 years, largely in the field of agricultural policy.

She retired in September 2014 after 15 years working for NFU Cymru - nine years as deputy director before being appointed director in 2008 and was based at the union’s head office at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells.

She said: "I have been fortunate to work with friends and colleagues who also felt passionately about the Welsh agricultural industry. This award should therefore be regarded as much as recognition of their efforts and contribution as mine."

The chair of Newport based St David’s Hospice Care was awarded the OBE for

voluntary service to palliative care and for services to the community in south east Wales and Powys.