CHAMPAGNE corks are popping across Worcestershire tonight after a number of people were named in this year's Queen Birthday Honours list.

Topping the list was the principal of Madresfield Early Years Centre, Alice Bennett, who was appointed MBE for services to Early Years Education.

The 59-year-old said: "It is with great joy that I have accepted this honour. This morning all the children and staff present at the centre have had a wonderful time celebrating this exciting achievement."

She wished to express her gratitude to those in the community who had recommended her for the honour.

She added: "It is a great honour to receive this MBE award for services to early years. It has been a great privilege to devote the past 30 years of my life to the care and education of young children.

"Early years education is a very rewarding but also very exhausting career. But what could be more important than helping young children to spread their wings and supporting their individual needs as they fly off with the necessary skills and confidence to achieve their potential?"

"Leading a talented team of childcare professionals has been a meaningful and also extremely rewarding task as together we nurture and educate the citizens of tomorrow.

"With 80 per cent of a child’s brain being formed by the age of three, the great responsibilities of working with young children needs to be fully understood.

"For too long, early years teachers have been looked down upon as the least important members of the teaching profession.

"It is my delight to share the honour of this award with the magnificent staff team I am privileged to lead. I also include many retired members of staff who have worked alongside me with such skill and devotion in the past."

A new early years centre is set to open in Worcester in September as the service expands.

Joanna Dowling, known as Jo, also received an MBE for services to the community in Worcester.

Mrs Dowling, from Dines Green, said: "I remember when I got the letter telling me I had received the award, because it was on the same day that Princess Charlotte was born."

"It was a wonderful thing to receive. Over the years I have been very much involved with the community here.

"I've been involved with the Girl Guides since 1968 when I lived in Portsmouth but I carried it on when I moved to Worcester in 1987.

"I'm still involved with the Trefoil Guild now, and for many years I was a churchwarden at St Clement's Church.

"I've done all sorts of things in Worcester, but I'd really love to know who nominated me.

"I do have to say that my husband, Michael, must share this honour, because without his complete support I wouldn't have been able to do any of it."

Councillor Fran Oborski receives an MBE for political and public service.

The 69-year-old, who lives in Kidderminster, has served as a councillor for more than four decades after first being elected in 1973 in the Wyre Forest.

The widow, whose late husband Mike was also a councillor, said: "I'm absolutely elated, thrilled and fantastically proud.

"I'm especially delighted because it came as a result of all the political parties in the Wyre Forest coming together for me.

"This is for all the people who have campaigned with me, worked with me and voted for me over the last 42 years."

Councillor Oborski sits on the county council and Wyre Forest District Council.

Elsewhere, well-known Worcester philanthropist Colin Kinnear was awarded an OBE for services to the arts and education.

Mr Kinnear, 79, is chairman of the Bransford Trust, a charity supporting the arts, education and healthcare - and is the driving force behind a £10 million cultural quarter planned at the old Royal Worcester Porcelain site.

He founded gas market business CryoService in 1970, a firm which eventually became Air Products in 2011, a US-based international business which retains a 'centre of excellence' at Warndon Business Park.

He said he was "delighted" with the award, adding: "Worcestershire is a fantastic county with a great history, a place where I am committed to growing my business interests and providing opportunities into the future."

President and founder of the Association of Wood Turners in Great Britain Ray Key, who lives in Bretforton, near Evesham, was awarded a British Empire Medal for his contribution to the craft.

The 73-year-old, who took up the craft 43 years ago, is renowned in craft circles for his skills and expertise in woodworking and said he was pleased by the accolade.

“It’s nice to be recognised for doing something,” he said.

“It came in a letter a few months ago, and I didn’t know anything about it – I had to look up what it was.”

Mr Key said he had been nominated by the Heritage Crafts Association, which has been worked to ensure more were craftsmen were recognised for their work.

“It wasn’t a total surprise,” he said.

“They wanted it to be a surprise but when they were asked questions about my background they said the only one that could answer them was me.

“I may have slowed down a bit but I’ve no intention of stopping.

“I’ve just finished and packed up and order today.”

Other local recipients of a British Empire Medal were Bridget Cluley, from Broadway - a trustee of Hope and Homes for Children and a fundraiser, divisional vice president and Trustee, NSPCC, for services to children and families and Marion Percy, for services to the community in Colwall.