FIVE other East Lancashire people were given honours.

Geoffrey Braithwaite, of Downham, was awarded the MBE for services to the Clitheroe and surrounding community.

He said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to bits and it was quite a shock. It's important to recognise that you don't get these awards without the hard work and dedication for the people who work with you."

Mr Braithwaite, 65, is a charter member of Clitheroe Lions, having been involved since their formation in 1982 and has served as president, vice-president, secretary and keeper of the book -- the record of the president's year in office.

He was involved in the original appeal to raise money to build East Lancashire Hospice in 1979 and since has been a member of the hospice's committee for the last 20 years, and chairman since 1998.

He is also fondly remembered in Clitheroe for his attempts to thwart a robbery at the town's sorting office in 1991 when he rammed a gang's getaway car with his van and pursued them on foot until they pulled a gun on him. The robbers were sentenced to 18 years in jail when they were caught.

Pamela Coward was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire.

Mrs Coward, 59, of Cowpe, Rossendale, was commended for her services to education after turning a failing school into one in the top five per cent nationwide.

Middleton Technology College in Rochdale is now a 1,060-strong thriving school with massive inward investment via the Excellence in Cities strand, since taking over the reins in 1991.

Mrs Coward, who has been in teaching for 34 years, dedicated the accolade to the community, staff and governors who have helped turn the school "into one the whole community can be proud of."

She added: "Together we have built an excellent local school and I hope parents will now be proud to send their children there. I have had overwhelming support from the community."

Pauline Quinn, 58, of Cliffe Park, Great Harwood, was given an OBE for her services to women and children at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn.

Pauline, mother-of-two was the director of midwifery for the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health NHS for 13 years and now continues the post under the East Lancashire Hospitals Trust.

"I am the most proud of changing the mothers service round to making it more women focused and giving women choice in their maternity care. I have been in midwifery for 35 years and things have changed an awful lot.

"I am absolutely delighted and very surprised to be awarded the accolade and for once, being up there with the football stars! I must say a special thanks to everyone I have worked with so closely and of course to those who nominated me."

Malcolm Smith , of Blackburn, was given the MBE for services to the board of visitors at HM Prison Lancaster.

Riaz Begum, 52, who lives in the Preston New Road area of Blackburn, was given an OBE honoured for her work with the borough's youth service.

She has worked there for 18 years, and back then it was run by Lancashire County Council.

Riaz said: "I couldn't stop laughing when I found out about it. It is something I never expected to happen.

"I never came into the job for the honour, I came into it because I enjoy the job and get a lot of satisfaction out of it.

"It is an honour but one I never dreamt I would deserve.