AN opera singer has spoken of her delight after she was named in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

Sarah Connolly, who was brought up in Middleton St George, near Darlington, was named a CBE for services to classical music.

It completes a successful year for Ms Connolly, who went to Raventhorpe Prep School, in Darlington, and Queen Margaret’s School, in York.

Last year, she was a soloist at the Last Night of the Proms, where she sang Rule, Britannia!

Her love for music was evident in her early years when she joined her village choir as an alto.

She said: “I was very surprised, I must say, and delighted to receive this honour.

“I do not chase a celebrity lifestyle, as this is meaningless to me, so I am really happy that someone has noticed my work.

“Hopefully now I might turn the few remaining heads of musicians and opera houses abroad that are still relatively unaware of me.”

Ms Connolly is expecting another busy 12 months, with several performances with the Metropolitan Opera, in New York, starting next month.