A SCOUT leader has spoken of her shock after being named on the New Year’s honours list.

Karin Snape, from Great Sankey, was handed a BEM – a British Empire Medal – for services to scouting.

The 61-year-old grandma-of-five, a teaching assistant at Great Sankey Primary School, has been involved in the scouts for 28 years and also trains guide dog puppies.

A member of the Appleton-based Tsunami Explorer Unit scouts, Karin said: "Millions of people are involved scouting, but you don't realise how much you touch people's lives because it's something I've always done - I'm so glad that I've made such a difference.

"I just love working with children, and the teenagers are great too because you're a mentor to them.

"But I was so surprised to receive the BEM, and I feel so honoured."