SE1 locals in Queen’s birthday honours list

Michael Lynch came to the South Bank from Sydney Opera House in 2002 and has overseen the award-winning refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall. He is due to step down in April 2009.

In his native Australia he was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2001 for his work in arts administration.

Two local residents have also been awarded the MBE.

Bermondsey resident Dr Sarah Davidson has been honoured for services to the British Red Cross Society.

Davidson, who is deputy clinical director in the school of psychiatry at the University of East London, has been an active member of the Red Cross for more than 25 years and has provided psychological support to people involved in the tsunami in Thailand, as well as other incidents involving loss of life overseas.

Brian Dickens, director of the North Lambeth and North Southwark Sport Action Zone, receives the same honour for services to community sport in London.

He once represented Great Britain internationally in 400-metre athletics and since 2002 Dickens has run London's only Sport Action Zone, working to improve health and fitness amongst young people in Southwark and Lambeth by getting them involved in sporting activities.