A PROFESSOR from Clarkston who has acted as a government advisor on energy and a champion of women in engineering was handed an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Professor Rebecca Lunn of the University of Strathclyde received the honour for her services to science, technology, engineering and maths.

She set up Strathclyde's Engineering the Future For Girls programme, which sees 100 girls go to the university every year to take on engineering challenges in the hope they will be encouraged to go into the field for their careers.

She was also named among the Saltire Society's Outstanding Women of Scotland two years ago and this year she attended a Downing Street reception hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May to mark International Women's Day.

After receiving the news of her award, Professor Lunn said: "I am delighted to be receiving this honour and am particularly pleased to have been able to encourage more women and girls to study and work in engineering.

“We still hear from some girls who apply to attend our Engineering the Future for Girls programme, that they are the only girl in their Physics class.

"It helps them to realise they are not alone, and that a growing number of young women are seeking careers in engineering."

The honours for East Renfrewshire did not end there either as Professor Leo Martin, chairman of St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, was also given an MBE for his services to healthcare and education.

Professor Martin, from Giffnock, has been on the board of the Clydebank hospice for 20 years and became chairman in 2005.

He said: “It has been a huge privilege to serve on the board of the hospice.

"This honour recognises the dedication and hard work of the staff who provide the highest standard of care for terminally ill patients and their families every day. We should also remember the fund raisers who work tirelessly every week."

An OBE was also handed to Asif Abdul Haseeb from Giffnock for his services to racial equality, health and education in Scotland and Pakistan.