Former Goon Spike Milligan received a shock when he was named an honoury knight in the New Year's Honours List.

Mr Milligan, 82, who is an Irish citizen, reportedly confined his response to one word "Help". He remains honorary patron of the Finchley Society, which he co-founded in 1971, despite having left the borough for West Sussex some years ago.

A Hampstead Garden Suburb pensioners voluntary efforts with the British Women's International Zionist Organisation (WIZO) has been recognised. Mrs Leila Wynbourne, 80, was awarded an MBE for her work in raising funds for disadvantaged families and immigrants in Israel.

She was chairwoman of the organisation for eight years and is now an honorary president. She said: "It's a great honour and I hope to continue my work for WIZO. The satisfaction you get is more than you can give.

"I have made so many friends because we have 12,000 members in the UK and many more worldwide."

Rajesh Patel, 40, from Woodside Park, was awarded an MBE for his services to the Black Training and Enterprise Group. He received the honour after his colleagues directly nominated him.

Mr Patel, who has a wife, Jaimini Lakhani, 36, and two children, Anya, ten-months-old and Akshay, four, is delighted by the news. He said: "I am very honoured to receive this recognition and extremely proud."