FOUR people who have served the community in Preston have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Brian Booth, chairman of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, was awarded an OBE and said: "To receive the award for services to the community in which you were born, went to school and have spent the majority of your working life is very special."

An MBE went to Hadyn Gigg, chairman of Deafway and Victim Support Lancashire, for services to the community.

He said: "I was totally surprised to receive this honour, but naturally I am delighted."

Faruk Desai, chief executive of Preston and Western Lancashire Racial Equality Council, who made the headlines last week for discriminating against two former employees of the organisation, was also handed an MBE for services to publicly funded legal services.

He said: "I am obviously pleased, and it is very nice to be appreciated."

Kalish Parekh, a director on the board of the Racial Equality Council, was also given an MBE for services to community relations and race equality in Preston.

Mrs Parekh, said: "I am absolutely delighted, more so for my family who have always been so supportive of me."