Women outdo men on New Year Honours list for first time

Actress Lynda Bellingham has tweeted her joy at receiving an OBE after being treated for cancer:

Read more: Lynda Bellingham awarded OBE after 'tough year'

Dr Theodore Weston, from Penrith, has spoken about his delight at being awarded an MBE for his services to Victims of Trauma:

We go to meet some of those selected in the New Year's Honours list which was released last night. From animal carer Helen Sinclair to a couple from Portsmouth who received a joint MBE for their services to deaf children. Actress Penelope Keith is also titled Dame in the new year's list.

Twins who sell Chinese food sauces to China have been recognised in the New Year's Honours.

Helen Tse, and her sister Lisa, from Oldham are made MBEs for entrepreneurial work.

A 90-year-old woman who has devoted her time to charity has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year's Honours list.

After a spell in hospital Gwendoline Gellear decided to "do something not to be useless" and began making toys to raise funds for the doctors and nurses who looked after her.

Known as "Aunty Gwen", the volunteer is a regular visitor to Pinderfield Hospital School, where she was herself a patient when she was in her twenties.

Two Downing Street cleaners have been awarded for services to the Prime Minister's Office in the New Year Honours list.

Madeleine Josephine Hennell and Henrietta Shorter received British Empire Medals (BEMs) for their work cleaning one of the most famous addresses in the UK.

Both women have served under five Prime Ministers going back to Margaret Thatcher.

Read: Women outdo men on the New Year Honours list

More women than men have been named in the New Year Honours list for the first time ever.

In total, 610 women have been awarded honours - accounting for 51% of recipients.

Here are some more facts and figures from this year's list:

• 16 women have been named Dames
• 1,195 people have received an award
• 74% are people have undertaken outstanding work in their communities
• 5% of the recipients come from ethnic minorities

TV and radio personality Nicholas Parsons said he was "flattered and delighted" to be awarded a CBE for his charitable work.

The 90-year-old, who has clocked up numerous acting and comedy roles throughout his career, is still best known for his years as question master of TV quiz Sale Of The Century and for his role as creator and host of Radio 4's Just A Minute.

He said: "I think it's a very nice honour - I'm flattered and I'm delighted. I think honours are a wonderful thing to receive if you have worked hard and that is recognised. I don't understand these people who are pompous and say they don't want it. "

Parsons previously received an OBE for services to drama and broadcasting a decade ago.

Read: New Year Honours list unveiled

Carlos Acosta - seen as the greatest male dancer of his generation - said he was "thrilled" to have been recognised with a CBE for his services to ballet.

The 40-year-old Cuban, a regular guest artist at the Royal Ballet in London, has danced with many of the most famous in his field and has branched out into choreography, literature and film.

Acosta said: "I am very excited and thrilled about this news. I never expected to receive an honour such as this, and am both delighted and very proud to be given such recognition for my work in the dance world.

"It was a huge surprise, and I feel privileged to be included."

Read: New Year Honours list unveiled