A BUSINESSMAN from Cwmbran is among nine people from Gwent to be included on the Queen's New Year's Honours list.

Stephen Francis Edwards, the managing director of Flamgard Engineering, won an MBE for services to the British Economy and to Exports.

Mr Edwards joins Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas on the honours list, who added one more accolade to his glittering 2018, receiving an Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award for services to cycling.

The latest honour comes 10 years after Thomas was awarded an MBE following his success in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won the first of his two Olympic golds in the team pursuit on the track.

It was on the road that Thomas has made his mark this year though, with his Tour De France win in July following victory at the prestigious Criterium du Dauphine in June.

“This is an amazing honour,” Thomas said. “2018 will always be a year I remember for everything I achieved around both the Dauphine and especially the Tour.

“This is the icing on the cake and I am so grateful to everyone who played a part in helping me get recognised once again.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what 2019 has in store, as we look to create more history as a team.”

Two OBE awards were also handed out in Gwent, with Elizabeth Ann Maher, of Caerleon, picking up the honour for services to diversity and economic development.

Darius James, of Newport, won his OBE for services to ballet and the community.

Founder and artistic director of Ballet Cymru, he has taught dance, and choreographed many one-act and 21 full-length productions for the company.

Seven other Gwent residents are also celebrating after making the honours list. They include a police inspector, a former mayor and community heroes.

Former Caerphilly County Borough mayor Leon Gardiner scooped a British Empire Medal for services to the community.

Also picking up a British Empire Medal for services to the community was Peter Richards of Newport, a volunteer Community First Responder (CFR) for the Welsh Ambulance Service who provides defibrillator training, and is a member of the Partnership Overseas Networking Trust Charity Ambulance team, working with colleagues in Uganda.

Gail Elizabeth Powell, of Blackwood, Caerphilly, is a senior nurse and professional lead for health visiting in the Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board. She was honoured with an MBE for services to health visiting.

Professor Barbara Ryan, of Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, won an MBE for services to optometry.

David Gareth Watts, a business analyst at the Intellectual Property Office in Newport was awarded his MBE for services to the economy, to charity and to mental health services.

Inspector Amanda Williams of Gwent Police was also included in the 2019 New Year’s Honours list as a recipient of the Queen’s Policing Medal.

Congratulating all Welsh recipients, Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: “These honours recognise and celebrate the hard-work and achievements of the incredible people who go above and beyond to put others before themselves.

“From household names to those silently serving their communities such as Reynette Roberts and Leon Gardiner, I am proud to see people from all walks of Welsh life being recognised for their commitment to their cause.

“I am truly grateful for their dedication to their communities and thank them all for their tireless work to improve the lives of others as well as their extraordinary ability to inspire people all over the country. Congratulations to you all.”