TWELVE people countywide received an honour in the New Year Honours List, including two from South East Cornwall.

Former naval officer, 81-year-old Robert (Bob) Gaskin, from Kingsand, has been honoured with an MBE for his voluntary work.

Bob said: 'It was an utter surprise when I got the letter telling me someone had put me forward.'

He has been involved with a range of good causes and is currently chairman of Kingsand Institute.

Retired teacher Helen Jenny, of St Ann's Chapel, received an MBE for her service to the Dartmoor National Park and young people in Devon and Cornwall.

'I am thrilled and surprised,' she said.

Born in West Looe, Helen, 61, spent her teaching career in Plymouth. For the last seven years, she has been a member of the Dartmoor National Park Authority helping with education and outreach.

Meanwhile, author EV Thompson, who now lives near Launceston, has received an MBE for services to literature and to the community of Cornwall.

Mr Thompson, a Cornish Bard, lived at Henwood when he wrote his first novel Chase The Wind, published in 1977. He has since written more than 40 novels.