COUNTLESS people will be pleased by the announcement of an MBE for Jenni Manners who runs Swindon Women's Refuge.

The award is richly deserved. But it is typical of her that she regards it as recognition of the people the refuge has helped and of the work it has been doing for 27 years, and as a tribute to the services and individuals who have supported it.

We warmly congratulate her and all the other Wiltshire people whose names appear in the New Year Honours list. Long may their good work continue.