A Brentwood animal sanctuary has praised its "amazing" trustee Leona Lewis after the singer-songwriter was made an OBE.

Leona, who won X Factor in 2006 and is a trustee at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year's Honours list 2023.

She was honoured for services to music and charity, sparking praise from the Brentwood animal sanctuary for her achievements.

"Our always-amazing trustee, Leona Lewis, has only gone and been made an OBE," Hopefield posted on Facebook.

"Leona has been immensely supportive to us over the years and we can’t think of a nicer, more wonderful person to receive such a well-deserved accolade," the charity added.

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Leona visited the animal sanctuary a few years ago, a Hopefield staff member said, and continues to be a trustee.

In December 2023, it was also announced that Zayn Malik, formerly of boy band One Direction, became a Hopefield ambassador.