A FOUNDER director of Basildon-based community radio station Gateway 97.8 which serves the town and wider East Thurrock has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King's Birthday Honours list for services to radio broadcasting.

Ros Connors, who started in broadcasting in 1988, established the station in 2006 alongside the late Yvonne Williams. 

Her first job was as a film librarian.

At Gateway, Ros - whose first job was as a film librarian - oversees all shows and station programming.

She developed a feature called Community Action, giving charities a platform and airtime to make their appeals and directly 'speak' to the community – over 100 charities have benefited from free airtime. 

Ros also introduced the Job Spot, a twice weekly opportunity for local people to apply for jobs through the station and on Sundays. Ros has developed programming specifically for the older community.

During her shows, Ros has conducted thousands of interviews and has dedicated more than 2,000 hours volunteering per year. The radio station has also offered training to 7,000 young people. 

Today, the station is funded by grants from bodies such as the National Lottery and Children in Need, but was initially funded by Ros and co-founder and best friend Yvonne. 

Ros Connors said: "It is awesome to be recognised in the King's Birthday Honours for my work over the years bringing truly local radio to Basildon, and I also want to thank His Majesty and wish him well.  

"When I co-founded Gateway Community Media CIC in 2006 there was a plan, but one never really knows where the road is going to take you. Much of the radio station's success of course is due to the wonderful team that it has built up."

"Gateway is such a wonderful resource for Basildon. The radio station encourages young people who live in the area to consider a career in the media industry, and can provide the necessary training through a series of nationally recognised courses. Also it provides great entertainment with a diverse range of programmes."

Fellow Gateway Director Danny Lawrence added: "This is brilliant news for Ros. It is so well deserved. Everybody at Gateway 97.8 is so proud of her."

Also honoured in the list is Wickford man David Dean, who is a retired paramedic.

Mr Dean, 60, served in the East of England Ambulance Service for 36 years before retiring earlier this year.

He said: "When I first heard about the award I was surprised and humbled at being nominated. It's been an amazing 36 years working on the front line of the ambulance service, the job has changed immeasurably since I started, especially the level of care and treatment we can give to our patients in the field which is saving lives everyday.

"I am proud to accept this award on behalf of all the hard-working ambulance crews who on a daily basis put themselves in danger to help other people without any recognition."

The full list of South Essex Essex residents recognised in the King's birthday honours

Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)

Mark Cavendish MBE. For services to Cycling and to Charity Work. (Essex)

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

Rebecca Harris. Lately Comptroller and Member of Parliament for Castle Point. For Political and Public Service. (Essex)

Companions of the Order of the Bath (CB)

Simon Patrick McKinnon CBE. Lately Director General, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to Digital Technology. (Shenfield)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Dr Adam Robert Baker. Head, Fusion Policy, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. For services to Fusion Energy. (Basildon)

Nicholas Peter Maclean. Trade and Investment Envoy, Scottish Government. For services to Trade and to Bilateral Relations. (Rayleigh)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Richard Georg Boyd. Senior Policy Adviser, Department for Business and Trade. For services to Mental Health. (Southend on Sea)

William Hiron. Managing Director, Stephensons of Essex. For services to Passenger Transport. (Maldon)

Patrick William Thomas Wilkins. For services to St. Paul's Cathedral, London. (Leigh-on-Sea)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Bernadette Marion Banneville. Lately Correspondence Officer, Prime Minister's Office. For Public Service. (Wickford)

Sue Burton. Founder, Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary. For services to Equine Welfare. (Ingatestone)