A radio presenter and a town councillor from Felixstowe have been named in the Queen's New Year's Honours list, announced today.

Radio Suffolk's breakfast show host Mark Murphy admitted he was 'stunned' to learn has been made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) while Felixstowe British Legion chairman and town councillor Darren Aitchison awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM).

Mr Murphy, who lives in the resort with his fellow radio presenter wife Lesley Dolphin, was given the MBE for services to radio and to the community in Suffolk.

"To be honest I'm truly stunned to receive it and it all seems rather surreal at the moment," said Mr Murphy who has had to keep the news under his hat for weeks.

"I am of course thrilled and honoured too but when the letter arrived a few weeks ago you could have literally knocked me over with a feather. I never in a million years expected it, it's been a hard secret to keep.

"I'd like to thank everyone who I've worked with over my 30 plus years at BBC Radio Suffolk and to everyone who's tuned in during that time. I couldn't have achieved anything without their help and support. I'd especially like to thank those who felt I was worthy of a nomination."

Launching Suffolk Day, securing a knife amnesty, saving hedgehogs and his anti-litter initiatives are among the campaigns Mr Murphy has been actively involved within the community.

He said: "Our anti-litter campaign Don't be a Tosser and our anti knife crime campaign Bin a Blade which saw a permanent knife amnesty set up in Suffolk are two of the things I'm most proud of.

"Creating Suffolk Day has been another highlight and helping to save our hedgehogs with our Whole Hog campaign another."

Mr Murphy MBE, first won a prestigious gold Sony Award with his BBC Radio Suffolk team in 2003, has three other Sony's, has an honorary doctorate from the University of Suffolk. and insists even though he is now in his mid-50s, has no intention of stopping his broadcast career.

"I was born in Suffolk," added Mark. "I've lived here all my life and I'm passionate about trying to help make it an even better place to live. It's a wonderful community here and I'm so proud to serve it.

"There's still more to come, I'm not planning to hang up my microphone just yet.

"I just wish my mum and dad were around to see that their little boy did OK in the end."

Former soldier Mr Aitchison, was honoured for his community work in Felixstowe, in particular during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Coastal ward member for Felixstowe town council, Darren is a

cyber security engineer, and chairman of the Felixstowe branch of the Royal British Legion. Franstine Jones, who has worked with the BAME community in Felixstowe was also awarded a BEM for her services to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in Suffolk. She is hoping her recognition will inspire others to stand up and be counted t=in the community. "Unfortunately, there are not many people that look like me in positions of influence." said Franstine. "So I hope that by getting this award it will give young people in my community the motivation to reach their potential." Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "These recipients have inspired and entertained us and given so much to their communities in the UK or in many cases around the world. "The honours are an opportunity for us to thank them, as a country, for their dedication and outstanding contribution." The honours system strives to be inclusive of all of the UK society. Of the 1,278 people who receive an award: 1,122 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level:

361 at BEM

508 at MBE

253 at OBE

799 (63%) of the recipients are people who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity;

612 women are recognised in the List, representing 47.9% of the total (35.9% of recipients at CBE level and above are women);

1. 1% of the successful candidates come from an ethnic minority background:
2. 4% of recipients are from an Asian ethnic group;
3. 6% of recipients are from a black ethnic group;
4. 5% of recipients with a mixed ethnic background;
5. 6% of recipients come from another ethnic background;
6. 3% of the successful candidates are disabled or have a long-term health condition;
7. 5% of recipients considered themselves to come from a lower socio-economic background; and
8. 5% of recipients are LGBT.