Bexley council leader Teresa O'Neill has been granted an OBE on the Queen's birthday list, making her the first sitting councillor in the borough to receive the award.

Coun O'Neill, who has been a member of the council for 15 years, announced on June 12 that she received the news of the award.

Coun O'Neill has been honoured for serving the community and the local government.

The Conservative group leader on London Councils will formally receive her award within the next seven months.

The Councillor has said: "I'm very proud and it's great to have your work recognised."

Coun O'Neill, who lived in Lewisham before she moved to Bexley 18 years ago, is proud to be a 'South London girl'.

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She said: "It has been good for the borough and has raised the boroughs profile which is great and my main priority."

Although the Coun O'Neill is very honoured to be recognised in this way, she said this is not the reason she became a Councillor.

She added: "This is lovely but this is not the reason I do the job, I do the job to serve and help people."

Coun O’Neill is also an unpaid adviser for the Mayor of London.