A WHITEFIELD doctor received a new year honour for his work treating the ethnic community.
Dr Surinder Jolly, 58, was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List for his work as a GP in Crumpsall.
Dr Jolly said: "When I was contacted several weeks ago about whether I would accept the MBE, I thought at first it was a hoax letter.
"But now I know it isn’t, I am absolutely delighted and so is my wife Gursharan and our three daughters.
"I am not quite sure when I go down to Buckingham Palace yet or how many members of my family I can take with me.
"I think I got the award for my work in the community in Crumpsall, where there is a high Indian population.
"I have always been interested in treating the illnesses and dealing with the health issues which are particularly relevant to this ethnic group - diseases such as sickle thalysimia and tuberculosis.
"Tuberculosis, for instance, is regrettably on the increase again and we need to be aware of this.
"Because of my cultural background, plus my medical training I feel I am able to identify the risks to my patients and treat them accordingly."
Dr Jolly was born in Kenya and did his medical training in India before coming over to Britain to work in various hospitals.
He has been a local GP in Crumpsall since 1988. Dr Jolly joins a glittering list of winners named in the list, including Beijing Olympic stars.