Paul Anderson, chief executive officer of the UK Centre for Carnival Arts, has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours for services to the arts.

Established in Luton ten years ago to promote and develop carnival as an artform, the UKCCA offers education and professional development programmes and resources for carnival artists including a new national archive.

"Carnival in the UK and around the world transcends race, class and creed," says Mr Anderson, who lives in Finsbury Park. "It has the power to unite and bring people together whilst passing on histories, skills and knowledge reaching places and parts that other art forms cannot reach."

Another Finsbury Park person -  Gillian Saunders, team leader of the social security advisory committee at the Department for Work and Pensions -  was awarded the OBE this year.

The New Year's Honours pay tribute to outstanding achievement and service across the community. The award itself will be presented at an official ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2011.

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