A Croydon MP is starting 2014 on a high note after being given a knighthood in the New Year's Honours list.

Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South, has been given the honour for his parliamentary and political service.

He joins 11 other people in the borough to be awarded honours.

The 68-year-old has been a Member of Parliament for 25 years, serving first in Nottingham North and then Croydon South. He is due to stand down at the next election.

He has held a number of governmental positions including shadow secretary for the environment.

Mr Ottaway became the first chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in 2010 and also introduced the Scrap Metal Dealers Act earlier this year to clamp down on metal theft.

The MP, who was told the news a few weeks ago, said he was honoured to receive a knighthood.

He said: "I feel very privileged and I am extremely grateful to the citizens of Croydon who have supported me over the decades.

"It is an honour for them as much as anything. I just do what I can to help my constituents.

"You go into politics to serve people. It has been 31 since I first entered the House of Commons. I had four years in Nottingham in the 80s then I have done the last 21 years here in Croydon.

"It has been a long path."

He added: "It has been an absolute privilege to be honest and I think I am a very lucky person.

"I just get my head down and get on with it. I am still around for another year and a half so I want a strong finish and I have every intention of being engaged to the very end."

Among the others receive honours were Michelle Herring, of New Addington, who was made an MBE for her voluntary and charity work.

The 32-year-old has volunteered with the St John’s Ambulance for 17 years, giving 30 hours of her time each week, and clocking up an impressive 26,520 hours of service.

She said: "It was a bit of a shock to hear the news. I have had to keep the news secret for a while.

"I told my parents last week and they are bursting at the seams to tell people. I can’t wait to tell my grandparents in New Zealand. I know my granddad will be proud."

Rosemary Kempsell, of South Croydon, has been made a CBE for her services to family life in the UK. She is the worldwide president of Mother’s Union.

Pharmacist Ashok Soni, who is the founding member of the NHS Future Forum, has been made an OBE for his services to community and the NHS.

Elaine Warburton has also been made an OBE for her services to innovation in healthcare.

Paul Fallon, of Lewes who is the chairman of Croydon Safeguarding Children Board, was made an OBE for his services to child protection.

Roger Hurrion, Nicholas Munting, Mark Shearman, Susan Thomas and Ann Green were all made MBEs.

Deborah Porter, who has worked at Kingston University and University of London has been awarded a BEM.