CELEBRITIES, community stalwarts, volunteers, charity workers, academics and conservationists from across Sussex have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Sussex-based actresses Julie Walters and June Whitfield have both been made dames for their services to acting while Sir Paul McCartney, who has a home near Rye, has been named a Companion of Honour.

Dame Julie, who lives near Billingshurst, became one of the nation’s best-loved stars due to her combination of wit, a knack for physical comedy and a sensitive touch with dramatic performances.

Comedy has long been her forte, largely by way of her TV collaborations with the late Victoria Wood.

However she is also a revered stage and film actress and has won a plethora of TV and big screen Baftas.

Dame June, 91, who has a home in Petworth, said the honour was the “icing on the cake”.

The veteran actress played Edina Monsoon’s mother in Absolutely Fabulous and reprised her role last year in the spin-off movie.

She has worked with some of the biggest names in British comedy, including Tony Hancock, Morecambe and Wise and Frankie Howerd.

Comedian Billy Connolly, whose official postal address is near Arlington, has been awarded a knighthood.

Author and illustrator Raymond Briggs, who lives near Plumpton, was also recognised with a CBE.

Comedian, author and TV star David Walliams, who has a home in Hove, was given an OBE.

There were also numerous awards for people across Sussex who have dedicated their time and efforts to supporting their communities and helping others.

They include historian Amanda Scales, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to adult learning and skills.

The 52-year-old from Portslade is a learning ambassador for the Learning and Work Institute and has also been instrumental in getting a memorial created to mark the battle known as The Day Sussex Died.

The battle, otherwise known as the Battle of Boar’s Head, resulted in hundreds of men from the Royal Sussex Regiment being killed in just a matter of hours.

However, as it took place just hours before the Battle of the Somme in the FirstWorld War, it has largely been forgotten.

The memorial is due to be unveiled later this month.

Ms Scales said: “I am over the moon and so proud.

“I really did think it was a joke.

“I have had quite an adult learning journey and this is amazing.”

David Sayers has lived in Henfield for all of his life and is a well-known figure in the area.

The 85-year-old said he was humbled and honoured to have been given an OBE for services to the community and was “very pleased”.

Mr Sayers has close connections with Henfield Evangelical Free Church and has been its organist for more than 60 years.

In the past he was involved in a lot of its youth work, taking children on camps and various activities.

He has also been its deacon for about 50 years.

Mr Sayers now visits old people’s homes each week to perform on the piano for residents.

He said: “I was totally unaware all of this was going on.

“The first thing I knew was when a courier arrived with the letter.

“I was very surprised but I am very proud.”

“I hope stories like this will help encourage other people to get involved in their community.”

David Sawyer, from Brighton, has been made an MBE for his services to the community in the city.

He has been involved with the Brighton Lions for several years.

THE SUSSEX ROLL OF DISTINCTION

COMPANION OF HONOUR

Dame Beryl Elizabeth Grey, DBE. For services to dance, East Grinstead.

Sir Paul McCartney, MBE. For services to music.

Nicholas Herbert Baron Stern of Brentford. For services to economics, international relations and tackling climate change, Midhurst.

DAMEHOOD

Julie Walters, CBE. For services to drama, Plaistow.

June Whitfield, CBE. For services to drama and entertainment, Petworth.

CBE

Raymond Briggs. Illustrator cartoonist and author. For services to literature, Westmeston.

Michael Hammond. For services to international development, Bexhill.

Professor Melissa Leach. Director of the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. For services to the social sciences, Brighton.

Dr Crystal Elizabeth Oldman. Chief executive, Queen’s Nursing Institute. For services to the Queen’s Nursing Institute and community nursing, East Sussex.

OBE

Professor Susan Mary Braye. Emerita professor of social work, University of Sussex. For services to vulnerable people.

Gloria Elliott. Chief executive, Noise Abatement Society. For services to awareness of and solutions to pollution from noise, Hove.

Natasha Kaplinsky. Broadcaster. For services to Holocaust Commemoration, East Sussex.

MBE

Victoria Chalmers. Founder and lead practitioner of Time 4 Children. For services to children’s emotional wellbeing, Haywards Heath.

Susan Dare. Formerly principal and chief executive officer Northbrook College, Sussex. For services to education.

Paul Metcalfe. For voluntary service to RNLI in Eastbourne.

The Honourable Rosamond Monckton. For voluntary and charitable services to people with learning disabilities and their families in the UK and abroad, Dallington.

David Sawyer. For services to charity and the community in Brighton.

Louise Baxter-Scott. Scams team manager for National Trading Standards. For services to protecting vulnerable people from financial abuse, Eastbourne.

Alan Stannah. Joint chairman of Stannah Lifts Holdings Ltd. For services to British Manufacturing, Chichester.

Richard Stevens. For services to the community in Hastings.

Duncan Tree. Head of policy and performance at Volunteering Matters. For services to social care, Brighton.

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL

Beatrice Frost. For services to UK National Heritage, Hailsham.

Mary Holman. For services to the community in Ditchling.

Neil Hulme. Conservation adviser of the Sussex branch of Butterfly Conservation. For services to wildlife conservation, Worthing.

Edwin Lintott. For services to the community in Stedham.

Raymond Radmall. For services to the community in Pagham.

David Sayers. For services to the community in Henfield.

Amanda Scales. Learning ambassador at the Learning and Work Institute. For services to adult learning and skills, Brighton.

Ruth Tomkins. Fundraiser for Dementia UK. For charitable services to people with dementia and their carers, Burwash.