HAMPSHIRE'S fire chief, a boxing coach from Eastleigh, and an octogenarian volunteer from Alresford, are among local people recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Hampshire's Chief Fire Officer JOHN BONNEY receives the Queen's Fire Service Medal.

Mr Bonney joined London Fire Brigade in 1981, and by 1997 had risen to become a deputy chief fire officer, serving first in Gloucestershire, and then joining Hampshire in 2001.

He took up the role of Chief Officer of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in July 2004.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority chairman, Cllr Michael Cartwright, said the award was well deserved. "John is a totally committed chief officer with a clear vision for Hampshire and how to make it one of the safest places in the country to live, work and visit," he said.

A head teacher who last year was declared the best in the country has been honoured again.

Wildern School's JEFFREY THRELFALL becomes a CBE - further recognition for turning the Hedge End secondary school into a huge success story.

Last year Mr Threlfall, who has been at the helm for 12 years, scooped the UK Royal Air Force Teaching Award for Headteacher of the Year in a secondary school.

He said: "I was surprised but absolutely thrilled to bits."

An MBE goes to Chief Inspector KAREN SCIPIO, who was second in command at Eastleigh police station before her current posting to Southampton.

During her 20-year career, Chief Insp Scipio was a founder member of the constabulary's Gender Agenda working party, which works to raise awareness of women's issues.

She said: "I have a real passion for equality and fairness, which probably comes from having a black father and a white mother.

"This level of recognition shows that equality and fairness are not just tick box issues."

Veteran Eastleigh Amateur Boxing Club coach MICHAEL UZEBU is made an MBE for his services to the sport.

Mr Uzebu, who is in his late 70s, moved to Eastleigh in 1941 from his native Nigeria, after winning an Empire Games bronze medal for boxing.

Leigh Medway, secretary at Eastleigh ABC club, said: "Mike is part of the furniture at the club.

"Boxing is his life - it always has been since he first arrived in Eastleigh."

DR JANET SHERITON, head of governor services at Hampshire County Council, is made an MBE for service to education. She has worked for the county for 20 years.

MARJORIE CLARKE, from Alresford, has been made an MBE for services to the community.

The 87-year-old has been doing volunteer work for 34 years, and was a fund-raiser for the first Leonard Cheshire care home for the disabled at Le Court.

She is also president of the local Women's Institute, group chairman of eight local WIs, a member of the village hall committee, Alresford community care group, and a former parish councillor of 25 years.

Mrs Clarke said: "I'm so shocked. It's not really sunk in at the moment. It's a delight not only for me but for my village."

Dentist MICHAEL NORTON was speechless when he was told that he was being made an MBE.

Mr Norton, 60, who is dental adviser for the primary care trusts for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, has been a dentist since 1970, working in Southampton and Chandler's Ford.

And a Chandler's Ford man is made an MBE for his services to the Environment Agency and community work.

PETER KELLY, 59, said he was "thrilled and humbled".

An environment manager, Mr Kelly has been with the agency since 1996 and before that worked for Hampshire County Council.