UNSUNG heroes in East Lancashire have been rewarded for their efforts in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Fifty-two years of selfless service for older people has seen a community champion receive royal recognition.

Once June Young signed up for the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) in 1958, she never looked back.

Now the 77-year-old, from Smithyfield Avenue, Worsthorne, Burnley, has a date at Buckingham Palace after being chosen as an MBE in the birthday honours list.

The modest campaigner, who undertakes several other roles for senior citizens across Burnley, was nominated by her daughter Jane.

June said: "I was absolutely shocked when I found out.

"They were asking me all kinds of questions. You don't go in for voluntary work for the recognition.

"It is all about teamwork and especially the team I work with.

"I like to say that I love working with elderly people but I'm catching them up now!"

In her heyday she looked after no fewer than five Darby and Joan Clubs borough-wide, from the centre of Burnley to Gannow.

She can still be found every Monday, organising a Darby and Joan at the Burnley League Club in Richard Street.

But June, who also has a grown-up son called Stuart, can also be found working for the sheltered housing charity Abbeyfields, which has bases in St Stephen's Street and Harriet Street.

#And if that is not enough, she also volunteers for the Colonel Slater home off Briercliffe Road and has been the chairman of the Nelson and Burnley Dinner Club for 30 years.

This is not the first time June has been given a welcome surprise by her daughter, though.

Just two years ago she arranged a special get-together for her mother's 50-year anniversary with the WRVS.

An OBE has been awarded to a man who twice saved the lives of people in jeopardy - for helping youngsters as part of his day job.

Mashuq Hussain said he was 'shocked and surprised' at the honour following numerous nominations from teenagers he works with at Marsden Heights Community College, Nelson, as a senior youth worker.

The 46-year-old was featured in the Lancashire Telegraph two years ago for leaping into action when fire swept through the home of a neighbour and also for saving the life of a 13-year-old boy who was drowning eight years ago.

Mashuq has also set up a multi-cultural local football team called Life FC.

Now the Nelson man has been awarded the OBE for services to young people and to community relations in Burnley and Pendle.

The father-of-four said: "I am very surprised because I have just been enjoying seeing the kids grow and learn new skills, now this.

"It's amazing what they can get up to behind your back!"

Former Blackburn coroner Andre Rebello also received the OBE for 'services to the administration of justice'.

The 52-year-old, who lives in Mellor with his family, is a former chairman of the Salford Roman Catholic Diocesan Lourdes Hospitalite Committee, a former governor of Oakhill College, Whalley, and a governor of St Mary's Sixth Form College, Blackburn.

He said: "It is very unexpected as coroners do not generally get an OBE for their work and I can only say that I am humbled."

Rossendale woman Gill Heaton, who is director of patient services, chief nurse and deputy chief executive at Central Manchester University Hospitals Trust, was awarded the OBE for services to healthcare.

She said: "I am extremely excited and honoured to have been recognised with an OBE."

Brian Peacock, former headteacher of Sunnyhurst Primary Pupil Referral Unit, Salisbury Road, Darwen, was given an OBE services to education.

Saima Afzal, an independent member of Lancashire Police Authority, was also awarded an MBE for services to the police and community.

The Blackburn woman said: "I have been doing this since I was 21 so it's wonderful to get recognition but to be honest it was a complete shock."

Pauline Mary Frost-Hardwick was awarded an MBE for services to the community of Burnley.

The former Mayoress from Lindsay Park in Worsthorne works as a civil servant and also sits on the Worsthorne Parish Council.

Keith Tomlinson, who has served on the town council for six years and was the mayor from 2003 to 2004, was also awarded an MBE for services to the community of Burnley.

Lancashire's highest ranking officer has also been named on the list for his services to the police.

Chief Constable Steve Finnigan has kept his CBE honour a closelyguarded secret for the past six weeks, with only his wife Jackie and two teenage children in on it.

He said: "It is such an honour to receive an award such as this.

"I will really enjoy the moment and will make sure my family and I enjoy the experience."

And Mr Finnigan praised the support of his family for helping him achieve the prestigious accolade.

He said: "I couldn't do this job without the support of my family and it is also a real testament to the great people in Lancashire Constabulary for their support over the years.

"The other thing that's so pleasing is other members of the constabulary and police authority have been recognised."

Mr Finnigan, who was put forward by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, added: "I'm in that really fortunate position where I sincerely feel privileged to do the job.

"Over all those years there is hardly a moment where I've thought 'I've not enjoyed that'.

"I lead a really good organisation in Lancashire. I've had a varied career from uniform, CID and different ranks - every day is different and part of the pleasure is that you never know what the next day will throw at you."