A SENIOR member of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Reg Barry, is one of four Islanders who are known to have been recognised on the New Year's Honours.

Cllr Reg Barry, 74, who has been a member of the authority since 1993 has been awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) for services to the community on the Isle of Wight.

While on the council he was instrumental in securing the creation of the Hersey Nature Reserve and is vice-chair of his local community partnership.

Another recipient of the BEM is Scott Watkin, 36, from Ryde who has been awarded the honour for services to people with learning disabilities.

He has worked with SeeAbility since 2011 and is a visiting lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, working with learning disability nurses and is also co-national director for learning disabilities at the Department of Health.

There have also been two Island residents awarded the MBE. Retired dentist, Roger Matthews, from Shanklin who gained the accolade for his ground breaking ethos that most dental disease could be prevented and that patients could keep their teeth with the right education.

The other recipient of the MBE is 54-year-old Hammie Tappenden from Cowes who has been awarded the honour for services to small business start-ups and women in business.

For the full story and interviews, please see next Friday's County Press.