Two Maldon residents are set to receive British Empire Medals (BEM) in celebration of their tireless work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ralph Springett and Linda Dutaut have been given the prestigious award for services to the Maldon community, particularly during Covid, it was announced today (Friday, 31 December).

Linda worked at the Maldon and District Community Voluntary Service (CVS) over the pandemic to support isolated residents and drive the vaccine programme.

The vaccine hub which the service helped to set up has been praised for achieving a number of milestones, including delivering 50,000 jabs by September and 75,000 by December.

Maldon has the highest uptake for all three doses of the vaccine in Essex.

Linda said: "I'm thrilled to be awarded a BEM and a bit overwhelmed.

"Working with colleagues at Maldon and District CVS during the pandemic, I became involved in different Covid community support projects, including making contact with vulnerable and isolated people within the community to ensure their needs were being met, preparation of pamper packs and distribution of grow your own kits.

"An ongoing occupation was volunteer recruitment, initially for the coronavirus response team volunteers and moving on to the volunteer team for the Maldon Vaccination Clinic.

"I'm privileged to have worked with many wonderful colleagues and volunteers throughout the pandemic and feel very proud of the Covid community response in the Maldon district which has been truly outstanding.

"I'm very proud that I've been a part of that response."

The Queen's New Year Honours list has recognised 1,122 people in total this year for their "exceptional service" to the UK overseas or internationally.

Sir Philip Barton, permanent under-secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, said: "I congratulate everyone receiving an honour and thank them for their hard work and years of service.

"The UK's impact around the world depends on exceptional people like those recognised in this year's Queen's New Year Honours. We are grateful for their outstanding contribution."

The other Maldon district resident named in the Queen's New Year Honours list is Dawn Wood from Burnham, who you can read about here.