OLYMPIC gold medallist Alex Gregory was among those recognised in the Queen’s New Years Honours List.

Alex won the medal in the London Olympics after victory in the coxless fours rowing event and now has an MBE to add to his successful year.

The former Prince Henry’s schoolboy and member of Evesham Rowing Club was one of scores of Olympic and Paralympic stars to be honoured.

He paid tribute to his team-mates and family, saying that he was proud to accept it.

Alex, from Wormington, near Broadway, was also given high praise by his old school earlier this year when he returned to Prince Henry’s where a sports pavilion was named after him.

On the official announcement of the gong, Alex posted on social networking website Twitter: “Many thanks for all the kind messages, what a privilege on the list”, amid many congratulatory messages from his fans.

Meanwhile, Broadway entrepreneur Denys Shortt will receive an OBE for his services to the economy in the West Midlands.

The businessman is best known as the founder of DCS Europe in Stratford and the chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Mr Shortt said: “I am absolutely delighted and proud to receive this honour.

Britain is a great place to build a business and I am delighted that entrepreneurship is recognised within the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.”

Aside from running his businesses, Mr Shortt has led the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP to national recognition with several successes since December 2010 including organising and heading the first national conference attended by Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

He is also on the board of Warwick Business School and advises at the Royal Agricultural College on entrepreneurship.

Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi congratulated Mr Shortt, saying: “Denys is one of our country’s great entrepreneurs.

He’s an unstoppable force who has built not just a fantastic global business, but also been a major driving force behind the success of Local Enterprise Partnerships both in Coventry and Warwickshire and nationally. The country needs more people like Denys and I'm delighted his efforts have been rewarded.”

Meanwhile, Roger Shorter has been honoured for services to the community of the Cotswold village of Churchill with a British Empire Medal.

The 76-year-old retired farm worker has only just finished his time as a councillor on Churchill and Sarsden Parish Council after nearly 30 years.

He said: “It was a bit of a surprise. I am trying to find out who nominated me. I am very flattered because I think there are people around who deserve it more than me.

“I have always felt very strongly about keeping the small community going.

When we moved in we knew everyone.”

Mr Shorter moved to the village, near Chipping Norton, in 1983 with his wife Sue, aged 70, and became involved in fund-raising for renovations to the village church.

Since then he has been on the village events committee and is involved in community events including the Churchill Vintage and Classic Car Show, which is run every two years.

Mick Matthews, temporary chief constable of Gloucestershire Police, was awarded a Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service.

He said: “I am extremely grateful for this honour. It was certainly not expected and I feel privileged to have been nominated.

“Receiving the Queen’s Police Medal puts a very positive end to nearly 31 years policing in the UK.