From giving up their time to volunteer in their communities, to contributing to local politics, or making strides in science or the arts, those recognised in the annual Queen's Birthday Honours list are always impressive figures.

Eastern Daily Press: Professor Corinne Le Quere. Photo: SubmittedProfessor Corinne Le Quere. Photo: Submitted (Image: Archant)

And as the list of those being recognised with titles or medals is revealed, reporters Chris Bishop, Sabrina Johnson, Marc Betts, Dan Grimmer, and Jessica Frank-Keyes rounded up some of those names, from MP Norman Lamb, to Norfolk-raised actress Olivia Colman, who might have familiar faces...

Norfolk CBEs:

Corinne Le Quere - Norwich scientist

Corinne Le Quere, an academic at the University of East Anglia who specialises in climate change science has been made a CBE.

Eastern Daily Press: John Fuller, leader of South Norfolk Council. Picture: South Norfolk CouncilJohn Fuller, leader of South Norfolk Council. Picture: South Norfolk Council (Image: Archant)

Prof Le Quere, who is a royal society research professor of climate change science at the UEA specialises in researching the link between climate change and the carbon cycle.

Last year she was chosen to lead a committee set up by French president Emmanuel Macron to advise the French government on how to reduce its carbon emissions.

She is also a member of the UK Committee on Climate Change, which performs a similar advisory role for the UK government.

Originally from Canada where she studied at the University of Montreal, she has also spent time at institutions in France, America and Germany.

Eastern Daily Press: Matthew Smith, from North Walsham Play, has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Photo: Karen BethellMatthew Smith, from North Walsham Play, has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Photo: Karen Bethell (Image: Archant)

She has been made a CBE for services to climate change science. SJ

Norfolk OBEs:

Michael Bevan - Norwich academic

Michael Bevan, who was a key player in setting up the scientific strategy of the John Innes Centre has become an OBE.

Eastern Daily Press: David Hitcham, right, has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Photo: Bob HobbsDavid Hitcham, right, has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Photo: Bob Hobbs (Image: Archant)

Prof Bevan, who lives in Norwich, and has been a the John Innes centre for almost 30 years specialises in researching plant genomics, particularly that of the wheat.

The 67-year-old, who is married with two sons said he had been surprised to learn of his honour.

He said: "I wasn't expecting anything like this, of course I'm honoured because it's recognition of not only my work but all of the people here at the John Innes Centre and a recognition of quite a few years of concentrated work.

"The John Innes Centre and the Earlham Institute are key centres without which I would not have received this honour and I suspect the major reason I got this was the series of work we have done on the wheat genome," he said. SJ

Eastern Daily Press: Dr Diane Crann has been made a Member of the British Empire for services to engineering. Photo: Paul WilkinsonDr Diane Crann has been made a Member of the British Empire for services to engineering. Photo: Paul Wilkinson (Image: (C) Paul Wilkinson 2010)

Sandra Dinneen - former council chief

Sandra Dinneen has been made an OBE for the work that she did with South Norfolk Council for the past 10 years.

Although she has moved on from her post as chief executive at the council she feels honoured that she was put forward.

The 55-year-old said: "I know it sounds clesay but I just feel really honoured.

"I'm really surprised that people wanted to put me forward for it. I wasn't in my role for the recognition I did it for the people and community in the area."

Ms Dineen was a major role in improving economic growth in the area with work on the Hethel industrial estate and worked to improve multi-agency work between the council, police and social services.

She added: "I think the honours are fantastic because they don't go to people in just one area, they can be awarded to anyone including people who have done great thngs in the community." MB

John Fuller - South Norfolk council leader

John Fuller, who has been leader of South Norfolk Council since 2007, has been made an OBE.

Mr Fuller, who lives in Brooke, is the lead Conservative member and vice-chairman of the local government's resources panel, which is concerned with finance for councils.

The 50-year-old father-of-two, who was born in Great Yarmouth and was a director of family firm J&H Bunn from 1998 until 2011, learned of his honour the day after the local elections, which saw him re-elected in his ward of Brooke.

He has been made an OBE for his public and political service.

He said: "It is very nice to be recognised and, obviously, it's nice that somebody has put me forward without my knowledge.

"Councils are responsible for a quarter of public expenditure and spending it wisely doesn't happen on its own and I've been lucky to be in a position where I can influence that." DG

Norfolk MBEs:

Diane Crann - Norfolk academic

A university administrator with a doctorate in mathematics has been made a Member of the British Empire for her services to engineering.

Dr Diane Crann, who founded the Engineering Masterclass Programme at The Royal Institution, has been recognised for her outreach efforts to encourage others into the field.

Dr Crann, 69, from Reepham, said: "It's a massive surprise and obviously a big honour.

"It's not the sort of thing that happens to normal people."

She added: "You do the job and people say that you do more than what's expected, [but] for me I just do what I do.

"You carry on doing what you love.

"I've always been lucky to work in things I absolutely love to do.

"I've always loved maths and I did my maths degree and my PhD later in life.

"Working at the Royal Institution, we're taking a bus of 14-year-olds there in a few weeks time, and you just watch them go 'wow'." JFK

Margaret Dixon - former Norwich magistrate

Margaret Dixon has directly helped more than 100 children and young people gain an education both in Nepal and the UK, and has been made an MBE.

Mrs Dixon, who lives in Hoveton, served as a magistrate for 23 years, during which time she became a court chairman and gained a reputation for having a strong sense of justice and empathy for those who were less able to represent themselves.

The 74-year-old also took four young people from Nepal to live with her, who later achieved degrees with the support of City College Norwich and the University of East Anglia.

While further away from home she has dedicated a large amount of time to fundraising to support woman living in developing countries to gain independence.

She has been made the MBE for services to the administration of justice and for voluntary service in the UK and abroad. SJ

Matthew Smith - north Norfolk campaigner and fundraiser

A community fundraiser and disability campaigner has been made a Member of the British Empire for services to children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Matthew Smith, business manager at Sheringham Woodfields School and founder and trustee of North Walsham Play, was recognised for his efforts in helping to provide disabled adults and children or those with special educational needs with play equipment, and running projects to boost skills and confidence.

Mr Smith, 34, from North Walsham, is also chair of the Norfolk Association of Special School Administrators and a voluntary trustee of About With Friends.

He said: "I am very humbled and very surprised.

"You are nominated by somebody so I feel very humble that people felt I had done enough to go above and beyond.

"I've obviously accepted and feel very privileged."

He added: "There's a lot of change and ability and disability in the world and I wanted to do something different. People moan about there not being a play park or their children not being in a good school.

"My parents always raised me to be a good role model and do my best to improve things.

"I feel children and adults with disabilities should have the best opportunities." JFK

- Georgina Elizabeth Edwards

Georgina Elizabeth Edwards, the founder and director of the Norfolk Community Law Service, has been made a Member of the British Empire For services to the community in Norfolk.

Norfolk BEMs:

David Hitcham - Norfolk community volunteer

The treasurer of a north Norfolk agricultural show which raises more than £40,000 a year for charity has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community.

David Hitcham, who has been a member of the Council of Aylsham Agricultural Show for more than 40 years, and is its current treasurer.

Mr Hitcham is also treasurer and club secretary of the Holt Rugby Club, where he headed up a half-a-million-pound redevelopment project which won a facilities award in 2016.

The 71-year-old from Aylsham said: "I'm absolutely delighted and it's a great honour.

"You do want to tell people but it was made quite clear you mustn't say anything.

"I had a letter from the Cabinet Office and a phone call to follow it up.

"It was all a great surprise to me."

He added: "I've always got involved with the community and I just enjoy being part of where I live." JFK

Maryanne Mariyaselvam - King's Lynn doctor

A Norfolk doctor who has pioneered patient safety initiatives has been awarded a British Empire Medal.

Dr Maryanne Mariyaselvamm, who works at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, helped develop a device which ensured guide wires used to insert catheters were safely removed from patients after a national safety alert.

She has also developed a non-injectable connector, which improves the safety of patients needing arterial lines.

Dr Mariyaselvamm, 34, who trained at Norwich Medical School, has led three regional patient safety projects and is now completing a doctorate in patient safety and how product design can prevent accidents in hospitals.

Dr Mariyaselvam said: "It is wonderful to be honoured in this way and I am delighted to be awarded the medal but it is a reflection on the whole team. It is an honour for everyone and not just me.

"I am really proud of the work we have done to bring about changes that have benefitted both patient and staff safety." CB

- Janet Croxson

Janet Croxson has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community in Brockdish Norfolk.