Rebecca Romero and Bryan get awards

11:06am Tuesday 6th January 2009

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TWO people from mid Cheshire have been recognised by the Queen in her New Year’s Honours List.

Rebecca Romero, who resides in Hatchmere, close to Delamere, has been awarded an MBE after her golden success in the Beijing Olympics.

The 28-year-old became the first British woman to win Olympic medals in two different sports when she added cycling gold in Beijing to her rowing silver from Athens 2004.

She dominated the 3,000m individual pursuit final in Beijing, beating fellow Briton Wendy Houvenaghel to gold.

Her achievements also resulted in her being in the nominations for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Meanwhile, Bryan Gray, chairman of the Northwest Regional Development Agency has been awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours list, in recognition for his service to regeneration.

Since taking up the chairmanship of the NWDA in 2002, Mr Gray has played an instrumental role in drawing together regional partners to identify and implement a number of transformational actions for the north west.

Bryan said: “To be awarded a CBE is a great honour and one which I am delighted to receive.

“As well as being an honour for me, I see this as recognition of the work the agency has instigated, led or developed to ensure the ongoing economic regeneration of the region.

“I am very proud today and even prouder to continue to be part of the ongoing transformation of England’s north west.”