LYMM councillor Dr Robert Barr has been awarded an OBE for services to geography in the New Year Honours List.

The Lib Dem man, who is Warrington Borough Council's executive member for planning, regeneration, climate change and housing supply, is also managing director of Manchester Geomatics Limited.

Dr Barr retired from a 30-year career at the University of Manchester in 2005, to spend more time with Manchester Geomatics, a company spun out of his laboratory in the university five years earlier.

He is an Honorary Research Fellow of the university, a board member of Golden Gates Housing and currently Lymm Parish Council chairman.

Warrington couple Elvin and Jennie Rose received an MBE in the 2007 awards.

The carers have been honoured for their work with foster children in Salford, which spans 30 years.

The couple said: "It was really hard keeping it secret - we couldn't even tell our daughters.

"We were gobsmacked when we found out. We have had other awards for various things in the community but never expected anything like this."

Patrick Roger Harrison, who also lives in the town, received an OBE for services to school sport through his work as head coach and secretary of Widnes Schools Rugby League Association.