One of the most famous royal photographers - Arthur Edwards from Essex - has been recognised in the Queen's annual New Years Honours.

Twenty-five of the county's residents have been commended for their work.

Mr Edwards, from Brentwood, who has spent 25 years following the Royal Family around the world for The Sun newspaper, has been made a Member of the British Empire for services to the newspaper industry.

An MBE has also been awarded to Thomas Kent, from Hornchurch.

The former soldier, who worked on the notorious Burma Railway during the war has been recognised for services to the Far East Prisoners' of War Association.

Other people from Essex honoured in the New Year list are:

Order of the Bath
CB
John Earle Kidgell, lately head, Economic Statistics Directorate, Office for National Statistics.
Order of the British Empire
CBE
Miss Heather Margaret Gwynn, of Woodford Green, task force manager, Cancer and Coronary Heart Disease, Department of Health.
Mrs Lesley James, of Upshire, for services to the Partnership at Work Assessment Panel.
OBE
Robert Bartlett, senior lawyer, HM Customs and Excise. (Saffron Walden, Essex)
Christopher Edward Ilsley Jones, of Loughton, lately director of operations, British Museum, for services to museums.
James Thomas Keating, of Ongar, for services to the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association.
Professor Barbara Anne MacGilchrist, of Harlow, deputy director, Institute of Education, University of London, for services to the Education and Professional Development of Teachers.
Ms Elaine Anne Oddie, of Westcliff-on-Sea, for services to the East of England Industrial Board.
John Rowlands, of Woodford Green, inspector, Social Services Inspectorate, Department of Health.
Leonard Kindell Street, of Waltham Abbey, for services to the University of the Third Age.
MBE
Peter Brown, of Braintree, for services to the community in Essex.
David Robert Coghill, of Benfleet, office scheduler, BAE Systems Ltd, for services to the Defence Industry.
Maxie Cohen, of Woodford Green, chair, treasurer and secretary, Redbridge Jewish Youth and Community Centre, for services to young people.
Miss Bronwen Angela Millicent Cook, of Southminster, for services to the St. Lawrence Church Rural Discovery Centre and to the community in St Lawrence, Essex.
David William Cook, of Chelmsford, chair, Board of Governors, St Michael's CE Junior School, Chelmsford, for services to education.
George William Cook, deputy commandant, Essex Special Constabulary, for services to the Special Constabulary.
Miss Janet Margaret Lee, of Harlow, administrative officer, Jobcentre Plus, Department for Work and Pensions.
Philip Aaron Miller, of Southend-on-Sea, chief executive, Adventure Island and Sea Life Adventure, for services to the community in Southend-on-Sea.
Mohamed Abdulla Pasha, of Thorpe Bay, for services to the community, especially to Health and Community Relations in Southend, Essex.
Mrs Pat Wade, of Basildon, play specialist, for services to the Burned Children's Club.
Raymond Leslie Williams, of Basildon, constable, Essex Police, for services to the police.
Mrs Patricia Wilson, of Chelmsford, for services to the community in Chelmsford.
Queen's Police Medal
QPM
Thomas James Harper, Detective Chief Inspector, Essex Police.