Two civil servants and a theatre director in Wimbledon, will be going to meet the Queen after being named as recipients of Birthday Honours.

International director Tony Faint, at the Department for International Development, is to be made a CBE, retired Ministry of Defence officer Mary Sinfield is being awarded an OBE, and artistic director Vicky Ireland, at the Polka Theatre for Children, will become a MBE.

Mary Sinfield has lived in Wimbledon for 25 years.

She joined the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in 1991 and was working as Assistant Director (Secretariat) at the Directorate of Reserve Forces and Cadets as well as being the first Secretary of Reserve Forces Appeal Tribunals by the time of her retirement in March, this year.

Mrs Sinfield, who lives in Mansel Road, told the Guardian that news of the award had come "completely out of the blue".

She said: "You get this letter. I just opened it and looked at it and was totally gobsmacked and bowled over."

The MBE for Polka Theatre's artistic director Vicky Ireland is being hailed as a fitting tribute to the 56 year old who has spent more than half her life creating and promoting the arts for children.

She will be leaving Polka Theatre in July, after 14 years, to work freelance.

She said of the honour: "It is a salutation that pays tribute to theatre for children and, in turn, all those dedicated and caring people who work in the field.

"I share this honour with them all."

Theatre director and patron of Polka Theatre Sir Alan Ayckbourn said: "The award is richly deserved.

"It is a just acknowledgement for all the wonderful work she has done for children in this country."

John Tony Leonard Faint, who lives in Wimbledon and is being made a CBE, was unavailable for comment as the Guardian went to press.

June 19, 2002 11:00