CONGRATULATIONS have poured in following the news that Melanie Odell – a former town mayor twice over – has been made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to the community in Haslemere.

"I have never come across anybody who deserved it more," said Haslemere Town Council clerk Mike O'Neil, who made the nomination.

"I see that ex-England goalkeeper David James has also been made an MBE and I think Melanie is a sort of goalkeeper for Haslemere. She's certainly saved quite a few town events."

For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.