A mother who helps children with learning difficulties by teaching them to ride at the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre has spoken of her joy at being awarded an MBE.

Daphne Hamblin, 73, has been working at the centre for more than 20 years and now oversees more than 200 children, many of whom are disabled.

Mrs Hamblin, who was recognised for services to children with disabilities, has two mentally handicapped children of her own, and has been working with disabled people for 40 years.

She said: "I was working for Mencap in Harrow when I heard about this special place so I brought a few of them up here to have a go at riding. There were only six horses and hardly any facilities but now there are 17 and the place is fantastic."

The centre runs as a charity and Mrs Hamblin says continued fundraising is vital for a service she says helps the children immeasurably.

"It's so helpful and to see a kid who can't walk wobbling around on top of a horse for the first time is a brilliant feeling."

Mrs Hamblin, who lives in Pinner, said being recognised for her work came as an enormous shock.

She added: "Now that you have rung me, maybe I'll believe it!"

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The new vicar at St Andrew's Church in Hammersmith has been awarded a CBE.

Guy Wilkinson, who begins at the Star Road church at the end of the month, was recognised by the Queen for his work during his time as the Archbishop of Canterbury's secretary for inter-religious affairs.

Canon Guy said: "I feel very honoured by Her Majesty and I accept this CBE on behalf of all the parish clergy who work in the many parishes with people and communities of faiths other than Christian. We work together for the good of all."

Canon Wilkinson was previously Archdeacon of Bradford and a parish priest in Birmingham, Guildford and Coventry.

St Andrew’s is just completing a brand new centre with facilities for the use of the parish community.

Pastoral assistant Peter Strefford said: "This new centre will mean that we can give a better service to the 100 or so homeless people who come to us for a meal and fellowship each week, and to our parents and children groups, the fruit and veg co-op and much more".

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Professor Stephen Bloom, head of diabetes and endocrinology at Imperial College London, was knighted for his services to medical science.

He said: "I am delighted to receive this honour, which is a testament to the efforts of a great many colleagues with whom I have worked over the years. This is a unique period in the history of scientific research when we are at last able to work out the details of how the body functions and therefore contribute to the prevention of disease.

"The research team that enabled this honour is currently working at full pelt because we think we have an important lead in the treatment of obesity, the world's most dangerous pandemic, and we don't want to lose the opportunity to make a real contribution.

"Imperial College London is a unique place not only to do original research but also to develop the results into something useful for mankind. I have been extremely lucky to work in such a forward-looking institution surrounded by some of the best brains in the country."

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A man from West Kensington charged with making sure Britain feels the long-term benefits of the Olympic Games has also been knighted.

Charles Allen CBE is chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games' Nations and Regions Group.

He previously oversaw the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 and also has a strong media background, having played a role in developing ITV.

He said: "I have been privileged to have worked on the games from the beginning and see this as recognition of the amazing work that thousands of people have put into making the games in 2012 such a success for everyone throughout the United Kingdom. The Games will enable us to showcase the UK at its best."

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Others honoured:

ORDER OF THE BATH:

James Bowler, from Fulham, the principle private secretary of 10 Downing Street.

OBE:

Richard Brunwin, former CEO of the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation, Fulham, for services to ex-servicemen and women.

June Taylor, West Kensington, for services to education.

MBE:

Magdalen Fergusson#, Hammersmith, for services to literature.