A prospective parliamentary candidate for Walthamstow has been included in the New Year’s Honours list.

Molly Samuel-Leport, who will take on MP Stella Creasy for the Conservative party in the General Election next year, has been made a Member of the British Empire.

The seven-times world karate champion was honoured for services to her sport.

Mrs Samuel-Leport thanked her fellow sports men and women, and her family, for their support.

She said: “I received great news from the Cabinet Office about four weeks ago explaining that the Prime Minister accepted the honours committee recommendation for me to be honoured with an MBE.

“I was sworn to secrecy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support.”

A Cancer Research employee from Walthamstow will also be made an MBE.

Jean King has worked in tobacco control at Cancer Research UK for 24 years.

She developed the Code of Practice on Tobacco Industry Funding for Research and the Tobacco Advisory Group, which supports research and advocacy in key policy areas.

Ms King also contributed towards the setting up of the European Union Smoke Free Partnership.

The MBE is services to cancer prevention.

Maureen Kathleen Collins, from Leytonstone, has been awarded the British Empire Medal.

The manager of New Park Day Centre in Islington has been honoured for services to the care of older people.