The spirit of Seething Wells has been given the royal seal of approval, as Creative Youth's chairman of trustees Robin Hutchinson is recognised in the New Year's honours list.

The noted cheese-lover and creator of events like Seething Ski Sunday and the Surbiton Food Festival, 56, will be made an MBE for services to the arts and to the community in Surbiton and Kingston.

Mr Hutchinson, the former Labour group leader on Kingston Council, has lived in the borough for most of his life. 

He was a founding trustee of both the Rose Theatre and the Douglas Centre, now the Cornerhouse community arts centre.

He said: "This honour is really for all the wonderful people who have helped, supported and given their time and energy to make brilliant things happen in the borough.

"In particular, my beautiful wife Ann and my family deserve medals for everything they have done and do and for putting up with me."

Mr Hutchinson was also awarded an honorary degree from Kingston University in 2009 for his arts and charity work.

Creative Youth trustee Brett Alderton said: "This award is just recognition for Robin’s wealth of achievement in the arts and the wide positive impact of his ideas and energy.

"His vision, leadership and tenacity have changed the arts landscape in the UK, particularly for young people.

"With his innovative, unique and frequently strange ideas and enthusiasm Robin is an inspiration to many and a huge asset to the community."

Surrey Comet:

Lisa Gagliani is a former chief executive of Kingston Chamber of Commerce

Elsewhere, a former chief executive of Kingston Chamber of Commerce has also been awarded an MBE for services to young people and small businesses.

Lisa Gagliani spent 11 years as chief executive before leaving to take up the role of CEO of the Bright Ideas Trust in 2012.

The Bright Ideas Trust helps disadvantaged young people in London get into work.

Mrs Gagliani was also chairwoman for the Young Enterprise Richmond & Kingston Area Board between 2004 and 2009 and her other community roles have included being a director of town centre managerts Kingstonfirst and a children's grant making panel member for Thames Community Foundation.

In 2012 Mrs Gagliani was recognised by the Mayor of Kingston for her work in the community.

Ms Gagliani, of Thames Ditton, was nominated by former colleagues at Bright Ideas Trust. 

She said when the letter came through the door she thought, “Well, that’s odd.”

She added: “I was used to getting Cabinet Office correspondence at my work but not at home.

“You’re literally sworn to secrecy.

“It was a bit like being a kid, being given a fabulous present at Christmas but being told not to tell anyone about it. All you want to do is go outside and tell everybody.

“I was really touched. It was a really kind and generous thing to do.”

Meanwhile a detective whose team busted a sex trafficking ring operating from a brothel behind Surbiton station was awarded an OBE.

Kevin Hyland, formerly a detective inspector with the Met, retired this summer and was recently appointed the UK’s first ever anti-slavery commissioner.

His team convicted Leatherhead man Michael Dalton, his ex-Nikki Chen and others in July 2009, raiding a brothel in Glenbuck Court in the process.