MBE for paralympian swimming star

Ellie Simmonds goes for gold

Paralympic double gold medallist Eleanor Simmonds has been named in the New Year Honours list.

The 14-year-old, from Walsall, is believed to be the youngest person to become an MBE.

Meanwhile a director of children's services for Dudley council has become a CBE.

John Freeman, from Kingswinford has worked for Dudley Council for seven years but is leaving his post to join the Local Government Association.

Miss Simmonds, who is now based in Swansea, won gold in the 100m and 400m freestyle and was named the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year for 2008.

'Fairy tale'

Speaking to BBC Breakfast News earlier she said: "This year's been a whirlwind, a fairy tale.

"I got the letter and had to keep it secret, it was really hard to keep it in."

She said she had been joking with her mother about whether her teachers should use her new title when calling the school register.

She said she was "honoured" to be officially recognised, but it was not her best Christmas present, which was an invitation to one of her favourite fashion houses, Luis Vuitton, to attend a private viewing of their collection.

Elsewhere in the West Midlands Terry Morgan, chief executive of Tube Lines, which provides maintenance for trains, has also been appointed CBE.

Broadcasting editor

Meanwhile, Chairman of regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, Nick Paul, who is from Malvern, Worcestershire, has been appointed CBE for services to Business.

Anita Bhalla, BBC public space broadcasting editor from Birmingham, and retired professor of Byzantine Studies at the University of Birmingham, Anthony Bryer, are among those becoming an OBE.

They include the head of Bartley Green School, Birmingham, Christine Owen, and Healthcare Commission learning disability adviser Fiona Ritchie, who is from Birmingham.

Janet Miller, from Sutton Coldfield, has also become an OBE for charitable services.