RIDING for the disabled stalwart Eileen Devenish has two reasons to be on top of the world, a new grandson and an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Mrs Devenish, who lives at Suddene Park Farm, near Burbage, was given the award in recognition for her voluntary services to the community.

But it was not for just one service but a number, not least of all Riding for the Disabled.

Just over 20 years ago Mrs Devenish and a close friend Heather Lemon founded the group.

Mrs Devenish has continued to work with the group as it develops, spending virtually every Monday at the indoor riding school at Manton, near Marlborough.

She has also been involved with the Pathfinders, a church club for the 11 to 16s in Burbage since the late 1980s.

Mrs Devenish, 54, also served as a governor of Rowdeford School, near Devizes, for nine years.

She and her farmer husband Peter fostered children and as a result she realised that those with special needs would benefit from activities like horse riding.

Mrs Devenish said all the members of the groups she had worked with shared the honour with her.

She said: "Although I am chuffed to bits with the award I would like to mention that everything I have been involved with has always been as one of a team.

"They all deserve this as much as I do. She and her husband have been married for 32 years and have three daughters and an adopted son. Their first grandson, Freddy, is just five weeks old.

Other Wiltshire people honoured were: OBE: Professor George Lunt, Bradford, deputy vice chancellor, University of Bath for services to higher education; Mrs Myra Orr, Salisbury, for services to Wiltshire Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmens' Families Associa-tion; Sheila Scott Anderson-Witty, Swindon, formerly head of communications, Natural Environment Research Council for services to science.

MBE: Roy Canham, Bradford on Avon, for services to Heritage in Wiltshire; Mrs Doris Whiting, Trowbridge for voluntary service to the community in Wiltshire.