THREE local men have been awarded honours in the Queen's new year honours list.

Major General Alan Sharman (59) from Hindhead was one of two local people to become a CBE.

Director general of the Defence Manufacturers' Association, a trade organisation based at Marlborough House, Headley Road, Grayshott, Maj Gen Sharman said he was surprised and delighted to receive the award, for services to the defence industry.

A retired Army officer, he has held his present post at the association for five years. He was previously involved in the purchase of equipment from the defence industry for the Ministry of Defence.

He now runs the 25-strong non-profit making trade association to which some 500 defence and security companies belong to, aimed at helping its members in matters concerning the defence industry.

"My association helps defence contractors to do business and my personal contribution is to lobby and work to influence mainly the MOD, the government, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Foreign Office to assure policies and procedures are in the best interest in the defence industry."

A keen sailor, Maj Gen Sharman, who is married with a grown-up daughter, is a Colonel Commandant of the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers and the president of the Bordon branch of the REME Association.

A second world war veteran, also from Hindhead, has been becomes an OBE for services to the Normandy Veterans' Association.

Leslie Frost (82) from Heatherway has been the association's national chairman as well as chairman of the Aldershot branch since 1993 and was its first treasurer when the local branch was formed in 1986.

"It was a surprise and I am very delighted," said Mr Frost this week.

The association is very close to the heart of Mr Frost who is also a member of the Royal Artillery Association.

The first aim of the Normandy Veterans" Association he said was to provide "comradeship and give support to all those who served in Normandy."

"I fought in Normandy during the second world war in the 25th Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery and as a troop commander went from the Normandy beaches to the Baltic where we joined up with the Russians," said Mr Frost.

Although membership is declining as old age takes its toll, Mr Frost said there there were still up to 9,000 members with branches throughout the world including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Belguim and Normandy itself.

Before his retirement Mr Frost was involved in banking and became a company accountant.

The association is planning its 60th anniversary in 2004 which will include a special commemoration on the date of the Normandy landings on June 6, a main ceremony at the war graves cemetery at Bayeux, a parade in central London and service in St Paul's Cathedral.

Mr Frost appealed for funds for worthy cause.

"We are not a rich association and always need money, said Mr Frost, who asked anyone wishing to contribute towards the 60th anniversary commemorations to contact him on 01428 606638.

Malcolm Brinded from Haslemere was also awarded a CBE for services to Shell and to the oil and gas industry.