Lewis star Kevin Whately 'delighted' at OBE honour

Kevin Whately, the former star of detective series Lewis, has been appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours.

The Cumbrian-born actor, who also rose to fame in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, as well as playing John Thaw's right-hand man in detective drama Inspector Morse, said he was "delighted".

The 73-year-old was given the accolade for services to drama and charity.

Others recognised across the north-east of England and Cumbria include an anti-smoking advocate, a benchrest air rifle shooter and a vet.

Whately said he was "grateful and delighted" by the honour and appreciated that actors could "help to raise awareness and money for charities".

However, he added that it was full-time charity workers who deserved the recognition.

The actor first made his name playing Neville in the 1980s comedy Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

Organisations he has supported include Action For Children and the performing arts charity, the Wavendon Foundation.

Susan Mountain, from South Shields, was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for sharing her story of becoming addicted to cigarettes as a teenager, getting cancer and the impact it had on her loved ones.

She said: "It's an honour - when I first found out I was running around crying."

Ms Mountain has been part of anti-smoking TV campaigns and has addressed parliamentary groups on the issue many times.

"I think most people given the opportunity to help others would do the same," she said.

Matthew Gleaves, from Darlington, was awarded a BEM for his work improving representation in benchrest air rifle shooting.

He said when he first read the letter informing him of the accolade, he thought it was an "elaborate hoax".

"I must admit I've got a few friends who like a joke and I was thinking is this one of those?" he said.

Mr Gleaves, who documents his efforts on YouTube and Facebook to raise awareness of disability, is the number one benchrest air rifle shooter in the UK.

"I'm a wheelchair user and I shoot on an able-bodied tour which is quite rare," he added.

Joanne Smith, from Gateshead, was made an MBE for setting up the charity FACT in 2008.

The charity provides support services, including counselling, for those diagnosed with cancer as well as their families, carers and friends.

"I found that when I was looking for services to signpost people, there was a big gap in the North East which was maybe covered in other parts of the country," she said.

She said the recognition was "lovely" but that it was a "big team effort".

Other people recognised include vet Amanda Carson, from Seascale in Cumbria.

She was made an MBE for services to farming including establishing the UK's first gene bank for sheep to protect rare breeds including the iconic Lake District Herdwick sheep.

Leslie Scott, from Sunderland, was also made an MBE for services to the city including serving 29 years as a councillor.

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