LIVERPOOL solicitor Andrew Holroyd OBE, who works at Jackson and Canter was awarded a CBE for his service to the administration of Justice.

Mr Hoylroyd who was president of the Law Society led a high-profile campaign to fight for access to justice for all through legal aid.

Woolton-based Mr Holroyd said: “This is such a surprise as they abandoned long standing presidents of the Law Society getting a ‘gong’ back in the 1980s.

“It’s a great honour and follows the high profile campaign last year. I’m pleased that the debate over legal aid has led to a better relationship between the profession and the Government.

“Over the coming year I just want to work hard for the benefit of the firm and make sure legal aid works in practice.”

As in the national honours, sports features heavily in the region’s MBE honours with cyclist Edward Clancy honoured alongside Karen Tonge, from Runcorn.

Mrs Tonge, ranked in the top 100 female players, was honoured for voluntary service to table tennis after spending more than 50 years playing and organising the sport.

She said: “It’s a nice surprise to get the honour in an Olympic year when so many medals have been brought back by our sports men and women.

“This honour shows that volunteers in sport are recognised and highlights the important part of a part volunteers play in encouraging the young and old to become active.”

A Liverpool bus driver was also honoured with an MBE for his 45-year career behind the wheel.

Bosses at Stagecoach described Robert ‘Bobby’ Fletcher as an “absolute star”.

Director Les Burton, who nominated Mr Fletcher, said: “He’s such a nice man. We’re delighted for him and it’s well- deserved.”

The 65-year-old driver, from Walton, added: “I haven’t really taken it in yet. I’ll have been working 46 years in March and I’ve worked right through the system in Liverpool.”

Lynda Coulter, senior neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust was awarded the MBE for services to healthcare.

Mrs Coulter, 57, who lives in Chester, said: “I’m thrilled, absolutely delighted. My husband and two sons are very proud.”

She has worked at the Countess of Chester Hospital for 18 years and in 2000 was involved in the launching of a human milk bank at the neonatal unit.

She said:“I had the idea to set up a human milk bank. Since 2000, I’ve been heavily involved with it - initially raising money to set it up.

“We now run a very busy milk bank serving the North West here at the Countess.”