A school headteacher and a woman who helps people overcome their grief after the loss of a loved one are among those in Redbridge who have been honoured by the Queen in her New Year Honours.

Dr Paul Doherty, headteacher at Trinity Catholic High School, Mornington Road, Woodford Green, has been awarded an OBE in the list, made public at midnight today.

Meanwhile the founder of Healing Hearts Bereavement Group Patricia Peake has also been honoured.

She told the Recorder she was “gobsmacked” at receiving an MBE and thought the letter informing her of the award was a tax letter at first.

The 64-year-old mum-of-two of New North Road, Hainault added: “It’s not something I do to get an award.

“My award is when I go to the group and people thank me and say they wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the group.

“That’s reward enough.”

The group, which was co-founded with friend Mary Casey in 2000, meets monthly at Spire Roding Hospital, Roding Lane South, Redbridge.

Other Redbridge people who have been named in the New Year Honours are Avril McIntyre, of Goodmayes, who is the chief executive officer for Lifeline Community Projects.

Her MBE is for services to the community in Barking and Dagenham.

Sylvia Maharaj, of Wanstead, who is chairman of the licensing committee at Waltham Forest Magistrates’ Court, has been given an OBE for services to the administration of justice.