Rights campaigner appointed OBE

A veteran black rights campaigner from Bristol has been appointed OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

Paul Stephenson campaigned in the 1960s for an end to Bristol Omnibus Company's strict colour bar where it refused to employ black or Asian staff.

A boycott of buses followed and his campaign received worldwide publicity.

Mr Stephenson has been recognised for services to equal opportunities and to community relations in Bristol.

Other honours in the Greater Bristol area include:

CBE

• Keith Elliott, principal of the City of Bristol College, for services to further education in Bristol

MBE

• Laurie Coombs, 81, who lives in Bath, for services to voluntary services to the community in the city

• Dennis Cole, 69, of Weston-super-Mare, for services to music and the community

• Laurence Coombs, for voluntary service to the community in Bath

• Major Arthur Peters, of Bath, for services to the Royal British Legion in Somerset

• Kathryn Scully, of Bath, for services to young people

• Wayne Spence, of Bristol, for services to passenger transport