AN MP whose daughter tragically died recently is to receive a knighthood in the New Year's Honours list.

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle spoke of his 'devastation' after daughter Natalie Lewis-Hoyle died at her home in Heybridge, Essex, on Friday, December 15.

Mr Hoyle, 60, will receive a Knight Bachelor for his work in 'parliamentary and political services.'

Mr Hoyle, 60, was elected as the MP for Chorley in 1997 and was elected as the deputy speaker in the House of Commons in 2010.

On receiving the honour, he said his 'sadness' following the death of his daughter has 'overshadowed everything'.

He said: "Of course, I'm very proud to be recognised for my work.

"Receiving the honour is recognition of the hard work and support of my family, constituency office and the electorate who have voted me as MP for Chorley six times.

"But the tragic death of my beloved daughter Natalie has overshadowed everything."

Mr Hoyle was one of a number of people across East Lancashire to be honoured for their work in the community.

Another person to be recognised was Blackburn woman Joan Bamber 'for services to education'.

Mrs Bamber is currently a co-opted governor at Newfield School, which Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ in all areas in 2016.

For over two decades, she has supported a number of schools across the Blackburn with Darwen authority as a governor.

She first became a governor in 1989, after a long and successful career as a Special Education Needs (SEN) teacher.

In 2004, she was given a Governor Long-standing Award in recognition of her conscientious community work and service to education.

Mrs Bamber, who lives in Crosshill Road, said: "I am just delighted to be honoured and it was quite exciting when I opened the envelope and read the letter informing me.

"I'm waiting to hear back now on when I'll go to Buckingham Palace to receive my medal and ribbon.

"I worked as a governor as I feel it's important in helping give children in schools the best possible life chances.

"Once my family know about this, I will certainly be celebrating with a few drinks."

Meanwhile Afrasiab Anwar, of The Kilns, Burnley, has been honoured 'for services to community cohesion in Burnley'.

The 38-year-old has committed more than half his life to improving the lives of others, particularly young people.

From using sport to engage young people and deflect them away from anti-social behaviour, to developing a role as a faith co-ordinator, he has encouraged and helped shape the lives of many people across all communities.

His involvement in Building Bridges, a local inter-faith organisation, in a voluntary capacity for over eight years, has brought people of different faiths, ages and backgrounds together.

His work has been recognised locally through the local leisure trust’s annual community sports awards and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Awards.

He said: "To receive the letter was overwhelming and was an absolutely amazing feeling.

"The best thing about it is knowing that someone out there feels the work I've done is worth of recognition.

"My main goal has been to use sport, faith and education as a way of bringing people together."

And Sajda Majeed, 44, has also been honoured 'for services to the community in Burnley'.

The inspirational community worker has made a 15-year contribution to improving lives of people of Burnley.

It has seen her play a central role in the development of the Chai Centre in Burnley, a multi-purpose integrated health and community venue in the heart of the community, with Mrs Majeed being the vision behind the centre.

She helped bring approximately around £1m to the area and led the creation of a gym and healthy lifestyles café, both of which she managed as a campaigner for women’s health.

She is also a parent governor at Sir John Thursby School and sits on the Clinical Commissioning Group panel supporting funding initiatives.

She said: "This was all very unexpected as you don't expect to open a letter and be told you've received an honour.

"I was just very shocked and absolutely delighted.

"I would like to thank the work and support of the amazing teams and agencies that have helped me achieve this."

Other East Lancashire honours went to Susan Jane Anstiss, from Burnley 'for services to grassroots and women's sports', and Lawrence Forshaw, life president of the governing body at Alder Grange School in Rawtenstall 'for services to education'.

Honours have also been awarded to Carol Holt, from Clitheroe, who is flood incident manager at the Environment Agency, 'for services to flood risk management and the environment', Alison Jayne Watson, from Clitheroe, chief executive officer of 'Class of Your Own' 'for services to education' and to Kathryn Jane Heyworth for 'services to the community in Burnley. '

Nationally, The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list for his services to music while Eamonn Holmes, the 58-year-old television stalwart and journalist from Belfast, best known for his long career on breakfast programmes, is receiving an OBE for services to broadcasting.