The contrasting elements that go to make up the local community - from a millionaire businessman to the organiser of a local boys club - have all won recognition in the New Year Honours list.

Alan Sugar, chairman of Brentwood-based electronics company Amstrad, becomes the only Essex Knight Bachelor in this year's list in recognition of his services to the home computer and electronics industry.

Sir Alan, 52, who is also chairman of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, said: "It is a great honour and a wonderful sign of the times that a man who started his life in an ordinary working-class background should, through hard work and application, be so honoured by his country.

"My only regret is that my mum and dad are no longer here to enjoy this moment.

"Young people should take this as a signal that in Britain today anything is possible if the will to succeed is strong enough."

Also honoured is Brentwood-based snooker ace Steve Davis, who now adds the OBE to the MBE he already holds for services to the sport.

Steve, known to millions across the country as 'interesting' because of his single-minded concentration on the game, said: "I celebrated in real style - I had a glass of hot milk and went to bed early!

"When I heard I was delighted, I really felt chuffed. It's nice to considered an ambassador for your sport."

Brian Seymour, chairman of the London region of the Sea Cadet Corps - which includes much of Essex - also receives an OBE, in recognition of almost half a century of dedication to the organisation.

Brian, who lives on Doddinghurst Road, said: "It really was a huge surprise. Obviously it's a great honour for me as an individual, and I am pleased that the powers that be have at last realised that the Sea Cadets is a very vibrant youth organisation now."

Meanwhile, 76-year-old Bernard Cranmer, has been awarded the MBE for his 62 years of service to the Ingatestone Boys' Own Club.

Mr Cranmer responded: "My first reaction was that plenty of people deserve this more than me, but it is certainly a great honour to be recognised like this."

Fellow Ingatestone resident Roger Lees gets the MBE for his 26 years as a trustee of international charity ActionAid, which he also helped found.

Mr Lees, who stepped down as a trustee in December, said: "I am very pleased, particularly for ActionAid. It was nice for them to get the recognition they deserve with this award."

James Ferguson, from Laburnam Avenue in Wickford, also receives the MBE for his work in maintaining security at the Department for Education and Employment's London headquarters. He said: "I only found out recently that my name had been put forward for it.

"It was quite a shock, I can tell you. I didn't have an inkling."

Chief Insp Dennis Rensch of Essex Police, who is based in Thurrock but lives in Brentwood, gets the MBE for his community work, which has seen him raise more than £600,000 for local charities with marathon walks and expeditions to far-flung countries.

Insp Rensch, who retires in June, said: "I was extremely surprised as I have been doing these events since 1977.

"I am very grateful for the award but also to the people who have sponsored me over the years.

Essex Chief Fire Officer David Turner, who also lives in Brentwood, has been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal for 30 years of distinguished service.

He said: "Naturally I am delighted for both myself and my family and I feel especially honoured to be named in the Millennium New Year Honours list.

"However, it must be acknowledged that as Chief Fire Officer I am only the tip of the iceberg of an excellent organisation.

"Any award I receive only reflects the hard work and dedication of a lot of wonderful people."

Honoured: Dennis Rensch, MBE.

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