PARALYMPIC fencing gold medallist Piers Gilliver and engineer and St John Ambulance volunteer Selina Taylor were named in the New Year’s Honours List.

Selina, from Lydney, was awarded the OBE while Piers, of Drybrook, receives the MBE.

Piers is recognised for his services to fencing while Selina is honoured for services to defence and St John Ambulance during Covid.

Selina is deputy chief engineer for submarine combat systems at the Submarine Delivery Agency and a volunteer, trainer and assessor for St John Ambulance.

After the official announcement on Friday (December 31), Selina expressed her delight on social media at being honoured and thanked colleagues who made it possible.

She wrote on Twitter: "I am overwhelming(ly) honoured to be made an OBE in the New Year’s Honours for services to defence and St John Ambulance during Covid 19.

Selina, who is also a representative for the West region of St John Ambulance, added: "Couldn’t do any of it without fab colleagues and fellow volunteers!"

She has also recently been presented with a St John Ambulance service medal, been made a member of the Order of St John and passed her test to be able to drive ambulances under emergency conditions.

Wheelchair fencer Piers, who is also world champion and world number one, said he was honoured to receive the MBE.

On New Year’s Day, he tweeted: "So proud to announce I’ve been made an MBE in the new year’s honours list.

"Hugely honored!"

Piers won gold in the epee competition at the Tokyo Paralympics earlier this summer.

He had won gold in the event at the 2019 World Championships in Korea and a silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

He has also been the overall winner of the World Cup series on four occasions.

Piers first tried wheelchair fencing at his local club in Cheltenham in 2010 and was chosen to be part of the British Paralympic Association’s Inspiration Programme and experience London 2012 to gain an insight into the atmosphere of the Paralympic Games.

He joined the Disabled Fencing Association the following year and was selected for the British team in July 2012.

He made his international debut in an epee competition in the Polish capital Warsaw.