INSPIRATIONAL South Essex residents are set to be honoured by the Queen for their extraordinary achievements.

Businessman Con Donovan, 81, from Benfleet, managing director of Choice, will be handed an Award of the British Empire in recognition of his services to business and his charity work in the county.

When the East End boy opened his first store in Rectory Road, Hadleigh, half a century ago, he never could have imagined how much success would follow.

His close-knit family, made up of wife Kath and their five children, now run a retail empire of 19 stores, and employ more than 500 members of staff.

They also work tirelessly to support local charities, including Havens Hospices.

The Queen’s Birthday Honours list also features Basildon-born Casey Stone, who is currently in Canada competing in the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Casey, a former England captain, will be made an MBE in recognition of her services to football.

Ian William Johnson, 69, from Leigh, who was leader of Chalkwell Sea Scouts for 54 years, is being made an MBE for services to the community.

He also worked in the Essex Fire service for 40 years and was stationed all over the county over the years, including Hadleigh and Leigh.

Jane Deborah Wright, from Leigh, secretary to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee at the Ministry of Justice, will be awarded an MBE for her services to Civil Justice.