PEOPLE working to improve rural communities were among those recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Mark Price, who is chairman of Business in the Community and the Prince's Countryside Fund, was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO).

Initiated by Prince Charles, the Prince's Countryside Fund gives grants to projects that help support the people who care for the countryside.

It is supported by a collaboration of businesses working together to secure a sustainable future for British agriculture and the wider rural economy.

Those businesses include Waitrose, of which Mr Price is managing director.

So far, the Prince's Countryside Fund has donated £3.3 million in grants, supported over 70 projects across the UK and helped more than 52,000 people since 2010.

Victoria Harris, director of Business in the Community and the Prince's Rural Action Programme, was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO).

Meanwhile, John Longden, who founded the Pub is The Hub initiative, was made an OBE for voluntary services to rural communities.

Established since 2001, Pub is The Hub operates as a 'not-for-profit' organisation dedicated to offering advice and support to licensees, rural pubs and community services.

It too was initiated by Prince Charles.

Pub is the Hub facilitates projects by encouraging and bringing together licensees and communities to support and sustain local services.

The initiative has helped some 365 projects since it was established.

Other New Year honours included two MBEs for volunteers working for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).

Edward David Chantler, chairman of the Kent RABI branch, was made an MBE for services to farming and rural communities in Kent.

Sally-Ann Mitchell, Honorary Secretary of the Norfolk RABI branch was made an MBE for services to farming and rural communities in Norfolk.

Also in East Anglia, Essex farmer Peter John Harold Philpot was made an MBE for services to agriculture, the rural economy, education and young people.

Elsewhere, Geoffrey William Morgan, chairman of the New Forest and Hampshire County Show, received a British Empire Medal for services to farming, rural issues and heritage.