ELLESMERE sports stars Oliver Townend and Freya Anderson have been recognised in the New Year Honours for their services to their respective sports.

Townend, who runs his eventing business out of Dudleston Heath, was awarded the Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to equestrianism after he won gold as part of the Team GB eventing team.

The 39-year-old, alongside teammates Tom McEwan and Laura Collett, earned the nation's first Olympic team in eventing since Munich 1972 and won in such a style that Townend was afforded the luxury of an imperfect round to win.

He said after the win: "I didn't know how much we had in hand, so I put myself under a bit of pressure, but these guys made it very easy for me.

"It has not sunk in. We have got another round to jump, so we focus on that, but there will be a big celebration and I don't think it will be with a cup of tea and a biscuit.

"Let's hope we can inspire the next generation of kids. We are all from pretty normal backgrounds. It shows that hard work and dedication pays off."

And Anderson, who competed for the Ellesmere Titans swim team, was also given a MBE for her services to swimming.

The Birkenhead-born freestyle sprinter won gold as part of the British team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in mixed 4 × 100 metre medley relay, swimming the freestyle anchor leg in the heat.

Adam Peaty, Kathleen Dawson, James Guy and Anna Hopkin powered Team GB to victory in the 4x100m mixed medley relay final after Hopkin had replaced Anderson, 20, who swam in the heat.

Although sadly denied the chance to appear on the podium with her peers, she was presented with her gold medal later on, alongside her teammates, before being embraced by Peaty who lifted her off her feet in celebration.

She attended school in Wirral before winning a scholarship to Ellesmere College.