EVERYDAY heroes have been recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Groups and individuals have been handed royal accolades for their services to the country.

Chief executive of the British Precast Concrete Federation Martin Alan Clarke was awarded an OBE for services to industry.

Mr Clarke, 63, of Coombe, near Wotton-under-Edge, has spent over 40 years in the construction industry.

After university, he started his career with ARC Concrete in 1972 at their Chipping Sodbury pipe business. He went on to work within the ARC Group for 17 years.

After 12 years as marketing director of the British Cement Association, he joined Leicester-based British Precast Concrete Federation in 2002.

On receiving the award, Mr Clarke paid tribute to his family, with whom he has lived in Wotton since 1978.

"This honour is completely down to my wife and family who have supported me unstintingly throughout my career and my long absences at home and abroad," he said. "I thank them so much for their love and patience.

" I am overwhelmed at this recognition and especially delighted that the citation is for services to industry.

"This is a great boost for an unsung but critical British manufacturing industry."

Another Gloucestershire winner was Diane Savory, chairman of the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (GFirst LEP), who received an OBE for her services to business through her work with communities across the county.

She said: "It is a real honour to be recognised in this way and in particular, for the ground-breaking work GFirst LEP is carrying out to drive growth in Gloucestershire.

"I am passionate about galvanising and empowering businesses and people in Gloucestershire to overcome these current economic challenges and thrive with new opportunities."

The government set up LEPs to promote a healthy economy, gain grant funding and encourage localised innovation.

The invaluable work of police officers across Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire has also been recognised.

Brian Hewlett, who works for Gloucestershire Special Constabulary, was appointed MBE, while Avon and Somerset Police’s John Long, 52, has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal.

His career has seen him work across London, Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

ACC Long said he was delighted and humbled by the award.

"These awards are rarely achieved without the support and hard work of colleagues and partners from other agencies," he said. "It has been a real privilege to work with them at a time when we've seen significant successes in reducing crime and making the communities of Avon and Somerset safer.

"I really see this award as some recognition also for the people I've worked alongside in recent years."

David Carter, principal of the Cabot Learning Federation has been appointed Knights Bachelor in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Sir Carter, who lives in Nailsworth, is responsible for 10 academies across the West Country.