THREE Wee County residents have been recognised in the queen's New Year Honours List.

Anne Lavery, chief operating officer at Citizen’s Advice Scotland, has been awarded an OBE for her services to consumers.

Sandy Farquharson, former director of The Marie Trust, has received an MBE for his services to the homeless, the disabled and socially excluded people.

And lastly, inspector Craig Rankine, QPM, has been awarded an MBE for this services to law and order and young people.

Anne, who has worked at Citizen’s Advice for almost five years, told the Advertiser of her shock and pride at being recognised.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted. I’m genuinely humbled and proud.

"It is, however, a reflection of the excellent work we all do here at Citizen’s Advice.”

Anne, who lives in Dollar, added: “It was a shock, really. I’ve been here five years in July and part of the reason I joined was because of the incredible work that gets done here.”

One of the hardest parts about receiving the honour for Anne, however, was having to keep quiet for over a month.

“I got a letter in November,” she said. “I couldn’t say anything but managed to keep it quiet except for telling my partner.

"I usually look forward to Christmas, but couldn’t wait for it to be over this year so I could tell people.”

Meanwhile, Sandy from Alva also admitted his shock at being awarded an MBE for his work with The Marie Trust, a Glasgow-based charity which provides a range of services to help homeless people.

He told the Advertiser: “It has come as a complete surprise and shock that I have been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List for services to the homeless, disabled and socially excluded people.

“This award was totally out of the blue, but I feel it should be shared by the staff at the Marie Trust where I was formerly the director who worked so hard to improve the lives of people affected by homelessness in the City Ambition Network.

“This was an innovative, award winning project created five years ago by myself, Lorraine McGrath CEO of Simon Community Scotland, Grant Campbell CEO of Glasgow City Mission and Eric Steel former head of homelessness Glasgow City Council.

“This project has greatly improved the services for people affected by homelessness.

"The award, however, is tinged with a little sadness as the person who was the greatest support to me, my late wife Pat is not here to share this award with me. I am sure she would have approved.”

Craig has been awarded his second queen’s honour thanks to his efforts in setting up a youth volunteering programme.

More than 15,000 hours of volunteering have been completed since its inception in 2015.

It is expected to soon have had 1,000 young people take part in the initiative.