Local heroes are given a royal seal of approval

A dedicated community police officer, a lifelong judo enthusiast and a local Scout leader were among the Lothians residents who lined up to receive their honour from the Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Hundreds of guests were invited into the Queen's official residence in Scotland for the ceremony, ahead of the annual garden party.

Among those to receive an honour was Special PC Lily Laing, from Colinton, who was presented with an MBE for service to the police and the community.

PC Laing has been with Lothian and Borders Police since 1989 and was recognised for her work with community groups, including her most recent project to help tackle antisocial behaviour.

Speaking after the garden party, she said: "It was incredible and I'm still buzzing. Even though I found out about this in December, it still felt a little surreal until the actual event, so I wasn't really nervous. I was just really enjoying it."

Friends and colleagues of Ms Laing organised another party for her afterwards at the Holyrood Park ranger service, where she is based.

"I went over to the ranger station afterwards and there were about 70 people there to congratulate me," she said.

"There were actually other people coming over from the garden party. It was amazing, and I was so moved by it, because I could never have achieved this without the help of all my colleagues at the police, and all the people in the community who have helped out, so I'd like to thank them."

Also honoured was "Mr Judo" George Kerr.

Mr Kerr, 73, from Leith, is president of the British Judo Association and has been practising the sport since he was eight, teaching thousands of youngsters at The Edinburgh Club, which he formed in 1964.

Mr Kerr was presented with his CBE, and said he hadn't been able to attend the garden party - as he had a black-tie dinner for visiting officials from Japan to attend. "It's quite a busy day," he said.

"The ceremony was really special and I would never have imagined I would wind up getting an honour from the Queen at Holyrood Palace.

"For me, that was more special than going to Buckingham Palace, as this is where I'm from, so it was a wonderful occasion."

Local hero Tom Attenburgh, 76, of Newhaven, was awarded an MBE for his services to Scouting.

Mr Attenburgh, known as "tracker", serves with the 6th Leith Scout Group as district commissioner, and has been with the group for more than six decades.

"It was a really special day and something I will never forget," he said. "The Queen asked me how long I had been with the Scouts and where I worked, and then wished me all the best for the future, so I was really thrilled.

"I was quite nervous before going out, but then everyone was - there were servicemen there and you could see they were a bit nervy as well, but the palace staff were wonderful and really put everyone at ease."

THE LOCAL NAMES ON THE HONOURS LIST

ORDER OF THE BATH

Andrew William Goudie, chief economic adviser, Scottish Government.

CBE

Ms Kirstin Baker, Edinburgh, Formerly head, Financial Stability Team, HM Treasury.

Professor Stephen Blackmore - For services to plant conservation.

Dr Lindsay Burley, Musselburgh, - For services to the NHS.

George Kerr, Edinburgh - For services to judo.

OBE

Graham Clark Bell, QC, Edinburgh - For services to the legal profession.

Professor Evelyn Margaret Gill, Edinburgh, formerly chief scientific adviser, rural and environment, Scottish Government.

Professor Donald James Renwick MacRae, Edinburgh - For services to enterprise.

MBE

Thomas Hume Attenburgh, Colinton - for voluntary service to the Scouts in Edinburgh.

Ms Shaben Begum, Edinburgh - For services to healthcare.

John Balderston Bell, Bo'ness - For voluntary service to the Royal British Legion.

Alny Mary Graham, Haddington - For services to the children's hearings system in Scotland.

Lily Laing, Edinburgh - For services to the police and to the community in Edinburgh.

Alistair Forbes Marquis, Livingston, assistant chief inspector, HM Inspectorate of Education.

Catriona Mason, Edinburgh - For services to lace making.

Ann McKay, University of Edinburgh - For services to higher education.