MY honourable friends ... isn't it time we had a review of the honours system and made even more of our special, awe-inspiring local heroes?

I totally support the way we recognise ALL people who do selfless work for charity and the community.

But I feel we should separate 'celebrity honours' from our 'ordinary - extraordinary' heroes.

It's heart-warming to read in the Globe of the achievement of Wirral folk who will be awarded MBEs such as lovely ladies Peggy Maskrey and Diane Carroll and Tony Crane (one of The Merseybeats) who is recognised for his services to the community in Wirral.

I would now like to see a New Year's Honours for showbiz types alone.

And make the Queen's Birthday Honours in June just for our growing lists of everyday heroes.

Many people's work only comes to light in the wake of disasters and when they are recognised it seems to be out-shined by our stars of stage and screen.

Sadly, we as a nation have had to cope with unexpected disasters.

We all saw how Manchester and London have responded to terrorist attacks.

And we all shared the grief of those who have died and are missing in the horrendous high-rise Grenfell Tower fire in Kensington.

We have heard of the brave local heroes: policemen, doctors, nurses and firefighters.

I have sat and watched on TV, listened on the radio and read in national and local papers about people who put others first whether in the emergency services or in other capacities by being community minded and spirited.

Celebrities will always make headlines and long may their work be honoured but let's make the Queen's Honours a real celebration – The People's Awards.

I fear we will need heroes more than ever.

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FULL marks to the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

I have just seen posters going up in Wallasey tower blocks and other high-rises including Portland Court in New Brighton with vital information on fire safety.

Having lived in a high-rise block in Stockwell, London, the first thing I did when I moved in was to consult my brother who was a fire fighter and now a safety officer to tell me what to do in an emergency.

So I applaud the work being done NOW by Andy Groom and his team.

They have a detailed website merseyfire.gov.uk where residents and visitors can find life-saving information.

Prevention, as my mum and brother drilled into me, is 100% better than cure.

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TALKING of well-deserved honours, I am tickled pink at hearing how much Sir Ken Dodd loves his accolade.

He says with his trademark wit "I'm being measured up for some armour and I'm getting a horse." 

Sir Ken, a man of many words, has clearly been inspired by fellow Liverpudlian Roger McGough's classic poem (written 50 years ago) called Let Me Die a Young Man’s Death In Style.

Roger talks of shuffling off this mortal coil: "When I am 104 may my mistress catch me in bed with her daughter."

Now Doddy reflects in a rare magazine interview: "I want to live until I am 120 - and be shot by a jealous husband.’’

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SPOILER alert!

There's always someone who ruins your day.

Last week I waited for a bus with two huge carrier bags and stood with my zone ticket gripped in my mouth.

I only have two hands.

My bus came around the corner.

It stopped and then the irate man at the wheel sneered: “Do you want this bus?

"I haven't got ESP - you need to put your hand out." 

Now I don’t expect my bus drivers to be mind-readers (that would certainly be a contender for Britain's Got Talent) but there's no need to be so downright rude.

I was, after all, at a bus stop - what did he think I was doing?

Other people who ruin my day include queue jumpers. It seems we in this country we no longer happy queuers.

According to a recent survey from the It's Not Rocket Science University we appear to walk away rather than queue these days.

And to finish off my weekly Grants Rants now that the Wirral Loop serve is back in order I was given a cup cake by Merseytravel.

I really could have done with corn-plasters after hopping on and off bus replacement services for the past six months.

The experience has now inspired me to send off my application to the National Association of Commuters.

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THERE's been an out-break of Alice in Wonderlands.

I have reviewed two of late at the Storyhouse in Chester and at the Liverpool Empire.

Now comes another one.

Seventies legend Alice Cooper is making a comeback and will tour in November.

As a journalist you get apprehensive when you are invited to interview a legendary pop star – a real life rock and roller with history.

Alice made his name dressed in black make-up with menacing stage shows.

Alas, when I called the star in America, the softest of voices greeted me with the words "Hi, just call me Vince (his real name)."

This superstar who had hits with the rebellious anthem School's Out talked about his real love - golf.

He even invited me to have a cuppa in his dressing room - revealing he was tee-total. Years later he did a hilarious TV advert where he shared a flat with Ronnie Corbett.

His last major hit was No More Mr Nice Guy.

Alas, Alice really is Mr Nice Guy.

Peter Grant