A council leader and a community champion from Brockdish recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours list

The leader of south Norfolk council and a community champion from Brockdish have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

South Norfolk Council leader, John Fuller, has been awarded an OBE, while Janet Croxson has been awarded a British Empire Medal

The annual Queen's Birthday Honours list recognises everyone from giving up their time to volunteer in their communities, to contributing to local politics, or making strides in science or the arts.

Mr Fuller, who has been leader of South Norfolk Council since 2007, is the lead Conservative member and vice-chairman of the local government's resources panel, which is concerned with finance for councils.

The 50-year-old father-of-two, was a director of family firm J&H Bunn from 1998 until 2011, learned of his honour the day after the local elections, which saw him re-elected in his ward of Brooke.

He has been made an OBE for his public and political service.

He said: "It is such an honour to have been proposed and granted an OBE for public and political service

"Councils are responsible for a quarter of public expenditure and spending it wisely doesn't happen on its own and I've been lucky to be in a position where I can influence that."

Janet Croxson, 76, has been involved in community work in Brockdish for more than 30 years.

Mrs Coxson was recognised for her work including chief fundraiser for her local church, church warden, chair of the village hall, chair of the village magazine, as a parish councillor and supporting the local primary school, before it closed in 2016.

"When the letter arrived, I burst into tears, I was so overwhelmed," she said.

Read more in this coming Friday's Diss Express, June 14