A WAR veteran, a businessman, health worker and court usher are celebrating New Year honours.

They were among thousands of people nationwide, from all walks of life, who were rewarded in the New Year's Honours List.

Mr Les Ratcliffe, chairman of Tottington-based specialist dairy foods suppliers Dunster Farm received an MBE.

The 72-year-old, who has been forced by ill health to diminish the time he can devote to his business, is president of Bury Hospice and a founder trustee.

He is also president of Bury's premier tourist attraction, the East Lancs Railway, and a stalwart of Ramsbottom Cricket Club.

Father-of-five Mr Ratcliffe, who lives in Home Vale, Rossendale, also serves on the committee of Bury Agricultural Show, having been president twice, and is a trustee of the Liverpool Market Benevolent Fund.

Also awarded the MBE is Prestwich woman Mrs Pauline Devlin (61), supervising usher at Manchester Crown Court.

She has worked at the court for the past 23 years, 15 of which have been in her current capacity.

Mrs Devlin, a mother of four who lives in Merton Road, said of her MBE: "It came as a great surprise."

Another local MBE holder is war veteran Ben Langer (80), of Hope Road, Prestwich, who in September raised £4,500 in a sponsored walk between two former Nazi concentration camps.

The award recognises his work for local charities which has stretched over the last 30 years.

He has helped groups such as the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women, Delamere Forest School and Christie Hospital.

Mr Langer was born in Krakow in Poland and ran away to join the Polish Army at the start of the German invasion.

He spent time in a Russian concentration camp before re-joining the army in 1941 and said that his charity work is a "thank you" to everyone who helped him during that time.

Ramsbottom woman Mrs Gloria Oates was awarded the OBE in the New Year's Honours List.

The medal marks her services towards health education and business.

She is the current chief executive of Oldham NHS Trust. Mrs Oates lives on Edenwood Lane, Stubbins.

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