THE woman who sold her home to set up a hospice service for people in County Durham and the Darlington-born man who organised the Commonwealth Games have both won New Year honours.

Mary Butterwick, 79, was awarded an OBE. Prompted to ease the suffering of others by the painful death of her husband, John, from cancer, she founded the Butterwick Hospice in Stockton in 1984.

It now also has a children's hospice alongside it, and another day care centre in Bishop Auckland.

She said: "It's not an award for me - it's for everyone who's ever been involved. That's the generous community, people who work here and my family.

"If my husband could look down and see me now he would say, 'I don't believe it, Mary'."

Robert Raine received a CBE in the New Year's Honours list for his part in the organisation of last year's Commonwealth Games, which were held in Manchester.

The 46-year-old grew up in Darlington where he attended Reid Street School, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and sixth form college.

Last year he headed the development committee for the Commonwealth Games. He carried the Queen's jubilee baton on a leg through Durham and made a speech on its arrival in Darlington.

The father of three now lives in St Albans, but his parents Stanley and Alice still live on the town.

Proud dad Stanley Raine said: "We're all very proud of him and he's very pleased indeed because it's quite an honour."