Sussex's unsung heroes have today been recognised in the New Year Honours List.

Volunteers, charity workers, community leaders and a police officer are among those who will collect gongs from the Queen.

Robert Brown, 56, is chairman of the Action for Bevendean community residents' forum and has been made an MBE for services to the community.

Mr Brown, who was named 2005 adult learner of the year, has overcome learning and physical disabilities to become a well-respected and well-known community leader.

Another community-spirited person to be made an MBE is school governor John White.

Mr White, who is 77, has been a governor at Willingdon Community School, in Eastbourne, for the last 30 years. For the past 15 years he has been the chairman.

He is to be made an MBE for services to education for his work with the school, voluntary activities, the Open University, the National Governors’ Association and others.

Diane Mulligan, of Seaford, has been appointed an OBE for services to disabled people and to equal opportunities.

Detective Superintendent Vic Marshall, of Sussex Police, has been made an OBE for services to the police.

Currently seconded to the Home Office, he joined Sussex Police as a probationer and has served 22 years in the force.

Meanwhile, Candy Morris from Horsham, the chief executive of NHS South East Coast Strategic Health Authority, has been made a CBE for services to healthcare while the Reverend Christopher John Sears has been appointed an MBE for services to disadvantaged people in Hastings.