Cutcliffe was manager of the highly successful Paraequestrian team at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics and won SportscoachUK's Dyson Award in the same year in recognition of her role.

Cutcliffe was also chief selector for the Paraequestrian team at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games and remains highly influential on the board of directors at ParalympicsGB.

Tim Reddish, the chairman of ParalympicsGB, told insideworldparasport: "We are delighted that Ann has been recognised with an OBE.

"It is a testament to her hard work and tireless dedication over many years, and we are very pleased for her."

An OBE is also to be given to Kevan Baker, the chairman of WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport.

Baker, who has been a paraplegic since a road traffic accident in 1979, competed in discus in four Paralympic Games and medalled in three.

The former world champion and four times world record holder became chairman of WheelPower in 1996 and is former chairman of the organisation's Sports Federation and Sports Management Committee.

He has also previously served as vice chairman of International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) athletics section, as a director of British Paralympic Association and as a representative on the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) athletics section.

Martin McElhatton, chief executive of WheelPower, said: "Thanks to the dedication of volunteers like Kevan disability sport has moved forward during his time involved with WheelPower.

"Kevan was a key driver in the redevelopment in 2003 of the facilities at Stoke Mandeville Stadium which provide disabled people with a superb venue for training and sports events.

"Whether it is chairing meetings, meeting and influencing sponsors and donors or being the figurehead for the organisation, Kevan has set an excellent example, giving of his time to ensure WheelPower is represented where needed.

"As a former athlete himself Kevan has a great understanding of the important role sport plays in transforming the lives of young and newly disabled people."

Meanwhile, an OBE has been awarded to 50-year-old disabled army veteran Paul Andrew Davies (pictured) who suffered a broken neck playing rugby but has since contributed heavily to the wheelchair version of the sport through organising competitions and coaching and promoting the sport.

Davis, who formed the Welsh Wheelchair Rugby Association, played for Cardiff Pirates Wheelchair Rugby Club and coached the Great Britain team, which he took to the Sydney 2000 Paralympics.

He also took them to the World Cup Finals in Canada and won two European Championships.

He said: "I was absolutely shocked when the letter came through my door.

"Rugby has meant a lot to me.

"I've played since I was a boy and just want to get more people involved and interested in the sport.

"It's an aggressive sport, it's fast and you have to be fit.

"It's got me out and about, it's allowed me to travel the world."

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