A Babergh communities team officer and a well known radio presenter are among those named in the Queen's New Year's Honours list, we can reveal tonight.

Franstine Jones was was awarded a British Empire Medal. Mrs Jones, who is also a volunteer and trustee with National Black Police Association, was honoured for her services to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in Suffolk.

Mrs Jones said: "I am so pleased to have received a BEM in the 2022 Queen's New Year Honours list. I am truly pleased that the work I do in supporting those that face discrimination and injustice is valued by the community and by those that nominated me.

"I will continue to speak up for those that feel they are not heard or listened to when they face inequality and injustice, and to support young people in reaching their full potential.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank all who have supported, mentored and have walked this journey with me. I am blessed."

She admitted to being in disbelief when notified on her inclusion a few weeks ago and not letting on.

"I received notice by email and had to read it several times before I realised that it was real," sad Mr Jones. "It was very difficult to not let my friends know."

Seeing tangible results of her work in the community has been rewarding for Mr Jones who added: "I am very proud of the young boys that l mentored before the pandemic hit. I was catching up with them at Christmas, I one told me he had been head hunted to play American Football and another has gone on to more studies at college."

Mrs Jones, who was instrumental in supporting the White Ribbon campaign to highlight Violence Against Women and Girls is hoping her example will inspire others.

"Unfortunately, there are not many people that look like me in positions of influence," she said. "So I hope that by getting this award will give young people in my community the motivation to reach their potential.

"I hope that this award will help with the work I do in and for the community with regards to being on the Suffolk Police and Crime Panel and the Chair of the Suffolk Stop and Search Reference Group."

Another honoured tonight is BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Mark Murphy who was honoured with an MBE for services to radio and to the community in Suffolk.

"To be honest I'm truly stunned to receive it and it all seems rather surreal at the moment," said Mr Murphy.

"I am of course thrilled and honoured too but when the letter arrived a few weeks ago you could have literally knocked me over with a feather. I never in a million years expected it, it's been a hard secret to keep.

"I'd like to thank everyone who I've worked with over my 30 plus years at BBC Radio Suffolk and to everyone who's tuned in during that time. I couldn't have achieved anything without their help and support. I'd especially like to thank those who felt I was worthy of a nomination."

Launching Suffolk Day, securing a knife amnesty, saving hedgehogs and his anti-litter initiatives are among the campaigns Mr Murphy has been actively involved within the community.

He said: "Our anti-litter campaign Don't be a Tosser and our anti knife crime campaign Bin a Blade which saw a permanent knife amnesty set up in Suffolk are two of the things I'm most proud of.

"Creating Suffolk Day has been another highlight and helping to save our hedgehogs with our Whole Hog campaign another."

Mr Murphy MBE, first won a prestigious gold Sony Award with his BBC Radio Suffolk team in 2003, has three other Sony's, has an honorary doctorate from the University of Suffolk. and insists even though he is now in his mid-50s, has no intention of stopping his broadcast career.

"I was born in Suffolk," added Mark. "I've lived here all my life and I'm passionate about trying to help make it an even better place to live. It's a wonderful community here and I'm so proud to serve it.

"There's still more to come, I'm not planning to hang up my microphone just yet.

"I just wish my mum and dad were around to see that their little boy did OK in the end."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "These recipients have inspired and entertained us and given so much to their communities in the UK or in many cases around the world.

"The honours are an opportunity for us to thank them, as a country, for their dedication and outstanding contribution."

The honours system strives to be inclusive of all of the UK society. Of the 1,278 people who receive an award:

1,122 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level:

508 at MBE

799 (63%) of the recipients are people who have undertaken outstanding work in their communities either in a voluntary or paid capacity;

1. 1% of the successful candidates come from an ethnic minority background:
2. 4% of recipients are from an Asian ethnic group;
3. 6% of recipients are from a black ethnic group;
4. 5% of recipients with a mixed ethnic background;
5. 6% of recipients come from another ethnic background;
6. 3% of the successful candidates are disabled or have a long-term health condition;
7. 5% of recipients considered themselves to come from a lower socio-economic background; and
8. 5% of recipients are LGBT.