Familiar Gloucestershire names, along with some who are less well-known, have been celebrated in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours list.

This year's list was postponed from June, so that it could celebrate key workers and volunteers, who played an essential role during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Veteran councillor, Andrew Gravells, received an MBE for political and public service. He has been a city councillor since 1976 and a county councillor since 1977. Currently cabinet member for planning and housing strategy at Gloucester City Council, Andrew has held several senior posts over the years, including chairman of Gloucestershire County Council, mayor of Gloucester and sheriff of Gloucester.

He said: "Everything I've ever achieved has been through working with colleagues at Gloucester City Council and Gloucestershire County Council, so this award is theirs too, as I didn't achieve anything on my own. It's all about working with others to build a better Gloucester, and a better quality of life for people who live and work here. And listening to what residents here are telling me. Listening is key in everything I do."

Cordell Ray, CEO of Caring for Communities and People was awarded an MBE for services to charity, particularly during Covid-19.

He tweeted: "Incredibly proud moment in my life - I give gratitude to all the amazing people I work with, past and present, who dedicate their lives to being there for people in their moment of need.

"I am humbled by the outpouring of support received at news of my MBE during the course of the weekend. Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM). Please continue to support CCP charity and help us prevent the causes and reduce the impact of Homelessness, Family Breakdown & Exclusion."

Julie Kent, founder of The Emily Kent Charitable Trust, was awarded the MBE for services to charity. She thanked all of her supporters in a vlog.

She said: "A lot of people think it's for Pied Piper ,because that's what I'm most known for, but actually it was for founding The Emily Kent Charitable Trust and all the charity work that I've done since then, which has been 25 plus years.

"It's been an emotional roller coaster over the last few days. The main thing is that a positive can come out of a negative. We just wanted to do something to help other people that were going through the same thing."

Gloucestershire's chief constable, Rod Hansen, was awarded the Queen's Police Medal. The prestigious honour recognises his outstanding efforts over his 31 year policing career.

He said: "I am surprised and delighted to receive this honour. Policing is the work of many, and I have been privileged throughout my policing career to have worked with such talented and committed individuals. Without a doubt, it is they who have helped me to contribute in the ways that I have.

"Ultimately, we are in the service of the public and I feel blessed to have been able to play my part so far."

Also honoured were:

• Lucy Baker, service technology director, BT - awarded an MBE for services to the NHS during Covid-19
• Susan Hill, CBE - awarded a damehood for services to literature
• Professor Charles Catlow, foreign secretary, The Royal Society - awarded a knighthood for services to leadership in science and research
• Lyn Dance, headteacher, The Milestone School and chief executive Officer, SAND Academies Trust - awarded an OBE for services to education
• Sonia Pearcey, Freedom to Speak Up guardian, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust - awarded an MBE for services to the NHS
• Ben England, founder, Homechoir - awarded Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to the community during Covid-19
• Christopher Spicer, project leader, Zephyr Plus Ventilator Design and Build, Babcock International - awarded BEM for services to the Covid-19 response
• Michael Barrett - awarded BEM for services to the community in Cheltenham
• Marion Beagley - awarded BEM for services to the community in Cheltenham
• Theresa Fisher, community champion, Tesco - awarded BEM for services to the economy and the community in Gloucester
• Lt Col Robert Alastair Utten Todd, private secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester - awarded the Royal Victorian Order (LVO)