Two businessmen were awarded MBEs in the New Year Honours list.

Mr Malk Hall, the founder and managing director of Hall-Fast Industrial Supplies Ltd, Anglia Way Industrial Estate, Mansfield, started his business in 2006 in his back bedroom.

It now has a turnover of around £2m a year and has won many awards.

Hall-Fast has been cited as a good example of how to use the internet to gr business through exporting by UK Trade and Industry.

It exports a range of more than 200,000 products to 95 countries.

Martin Rigley, managing director of Sutton-based Lindhurst Engineering, was also made an MBE for services to business and innovation.

Another recipient of an MBE was William Turner, of Southwell, the head of governance and legal services at Nottingham Trent University.

He was made an MBE for services to higher education.

Malcolm Scothern, of Kirkby, the chairman of the East Midlands Branch, of the Queen’s Royal Lancers Regimental Association, was awarded a British Empire Medal for voluntary service to ex-Service personnel.