CELEBRITIES often steal the limelight when the New Year’s Honours list comes out.

The national media coos over an actor’s knighthood for being great in a few movies, or a sportsman who did quite well in a tournament.

But plunge further beyond the reams of names of gentry, sycophants and gong getters, and you discover the real heroes.

They are the ones who have selflessly worked to make their communities better.

They have spent their time, energy and enthusiasm for the benefit of others.

And it is only fitting that, while they are more than likely modest about their accomplishments, the nation says thanks for their extraordinary feats.

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The honours system is at its best when it recognises people such as Maurice Warsop.

The RAF Brize Norton storekeeper has been helping to serve Royal Air Force personnel at the West Oxfordshire base for almost 37 years.

He combines his work at Brize Norton with his volunteering by selling Royal British Legion merchandise to people arriving at the base’s air terminals, and has raised thousands of pounds.

Then there is John Lubbock, who started the charity Music for Autism in 2002 with his wife.

Mr Lubbock, whose 21-year-old son Alexander has autism, has brought joy to many children with the condition through music.

There are others just as worthy of the trip to Buckingham Palace, and we hope they all enjoy their day out.

They all deserve it.



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