IT'S been a few years since John Major made good his pledge that "ordinary people" would have their just deserts and appear in the New Year's Honours List.

Almost without exception, in the five years since, the stories of selfless devotion have acted as an example to us all.

In Herefordshire and Worcestershire, today, the folk taking well-earned calls of congratulations and gratitude include people working long and hard behind the scenes in 10 different walks of life - and one very definitely in the spotlight.

In all, anyone working in the worlds of education, the Red Cross, charity, training, employment, entertainment, the arts, the community, wildlife, business and health has a right to feel some reflected pride after reading our reports today.

Of course, alongside giving thanks to our achievers and helpers - sung or unsung - comes the annual resolution-making ritual.

As tomorrow's midnight chimes draw near, we'd all do well to consider that kindness and consideration - and a determination to do unto others as we would have them do unto us - might help to make this country a better place for everyone in the years to come.

As we've mused at the turn of years gone by, we've had the Promised Land of the 50s, the carefree 60s, the grim 70s, and the me-me-me 80s and 90s.

Would it be too wishful to think that, now that the 21st Century's a year old, each and every one of us might resolve to do a deed to benefit the community each and every week from now on? We hope not, hard though it may be to contemplate or carry out.

So, let's view this year's county honours as an award for all who remain committed to a field of expertise or our fellow man. We could all strive to be a little more like them.