A FORMER Romsey mayor has revealed she was "staggered" to be recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

As reported, the list celebrates the selfless good deeds of big names as well as ordinary people during the pandemic, which saw delivery drivers drop off food and medicine to vulnerable people and health and care workers put themselves at risk to help their communities and beyond.

Cllr Dorothy Baverstock, who represents Romsey Cupernham on Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) and was elected mayor in 2018, was praised for her years of service to communities across Romsey and Test Valley.

The community leader has helped set up several groups, such as Age Concern, Romsey University of the Third Age and the charity Unity.

Cllr Baverstock said: "I was staggered to find this out and you cannot imagine the kind of weekend I have had.

"People have just been so lovely, even people I don't know, and I just cannot believe it's happened.

"I do not see me being recognised but it's Unity being recognised and I think we need that to keep everything going forward in Test Valley."

Unity chief executive, Terry Bishop, said: “The staff and volunteers are absolutely thrilled Dorothy Baverstock has received this very special honour.

"She is a powerhouse of energy and enthusiasm and without her, Unity would not be the charity it is today."

Cllr Baverstock has also been involved in various charities, including Citizens Advice and SMILE, and is one of the "driving forces in the fundraising efforts to design and place the Romsey War Horse in the Romsey Memorial Park", according to a spokesperson from Unity.

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said: "This year's honours recipients are a testament to the sort of country we are - caring, compassionate and resolute in the face of a global pandemic.

"The hard work and dedication of these local, often unsung heroes have helped carry us through. I congratulate them all."

The Queen's Birthday Honours list was released on Saturday (October 10).

This year’s list was postponed from June in order to include people, such as medical workers, fundraisers and volunteers, who have been instrumental in the COVID-19 effort.