WALTHAM Forest residents have been included in the New Year Honours list.

Michael Chrimes, 56, of Wellington Avenue, Chingford, the head librarian and director of engineering policy at the Institution of Civil Engineers, has become an MBE for services to engineering.

Mr Chrimes said: "I was shocked when I found out.

“I regard it as a great honour because I come from a very humble family."

Despite having no formal training in engineering, having studied history at university, he has written and lectured extensively on the subject.

“I was actually more interested in football when I was a child,” he added.

Marai Larasi, of Leyton, has also become an MBE for services to black and minority ethnic women.

She is the director of the Hackney-based Nia Project, which supports women and children escaping physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Pauline Thomas, Chief Executive of Lloyd Park Centre in Walthamstow, has become an MBE for services to families.

Mrs Thomas said: “It was an absolute shock when I found out.

“When I got the letter I thought someone was having a laugh with me.

“My family are absolutely over the moon and they are so proud.

“The only sad thing is I lost my mother early this year and it's a shame she isn't around to see me get this."

Mrs Thomas, 59, of Carnanton Road, who celebrates 30 years of being in child care, this year, started her first parent and toddler group in her living room in 1981, with a group of other young mothers.

She said at the time there were not a lot of provisions for children, some of the services that did exist were shutting down and attitudes towards young mums was that they should stay home with their children.

She added: “Being a young mum can be an isolating place to be, and through the group they have been able to interact with each other, and it has also helped them get back into work."

From her home, the centre moved into portacabins in Lloyd Park as it expanded to include full day care and after school hours services.

In 2004 the centre moved into its permanent building in Lloyd Park, and in 2008 the centre acquired a second site in Highams Hill.

Additional services, include working with Jobcentre Plus to help new mums back into employment, working with the Romanian travelling community, a dads club, baby massage groups and adult education services.

Christopher Creevy, of Walthamstow, has become an MBE for services to the community.

Gaye Thomas, a librarian from Walthamstow, has become an MBE for services to local government in Barking and Dagenham.