Internet pioneer from Cricklade is appointed OBE

A woman from Cricklade, Wiltshire, has been appointed OBE for services to the internet and e-commerce the Queen's New Year Honours list.

Lesley Cowley is chief executive of Oxford-based Nominet which administers the routing of all web pages and e-mail for .uk domain addresses.

Also appointed OBE is Westbury resident John Adams in recognition of his services to social care.

Mr Adams, 59, said he felt "deeply honoured" at the appointment.

"It's been a privilege working in adult social care with so many inspirational people.

"My aim always has always been to try to improve the support available to those who often face enormous health difficulties.

"But the real heroes and heroines of social care are the army of unpaid carers, many of them school age children or elderly people, who provide vital support to family members and friends.

"Without them the NHS would grind to a halt," he said.