A SPORTS star, the Chief Constable of Lancashire and a school Governor are among the local folk who have been recognised in the Queen's birthday honours list.

The list, announced on Saturday, June 15, gives nearly 1,000 people the chance to visit Buckingham Palace and receive their honours.

On special occasions the Queen can bestow an MBE, OBE, CBE or knighthood on anybody picked by Downing Street from nominations around the world.

This year 977 names appear on the list, including Pauline Clare, Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary.

Mrs Clare who is due to step down from her post later this year, has been appointed a CBE for her services to the police force.

Lancashire's head of teacher recruitment and retention, Nina Southworth, has been appointed an OBE. The former teacher has been honoured for her work promoting teaching recruitment. The County Council say that thanks to her, Lancashire has no teaching post left unfilled, at least on a temporary or supply basis.

She said: "I am thrilled and deeply honoured to have been chosen to receive this award. No one could have been more surprised than me to get this news, but I think it is a wonderful recognition of the importance of quality teaching in our schools."

Also appearing on the list is local water-skiing champion Andy Mapple. Mr Mapple, from Warton, has also been appointed an OBE, for his services to sport.

An OBE also goes Preston's Marjory Hall, for services to the Townswomen's Guild. MBEs have been bestowed on Joyce Beaumont, from Leyland -- the chair of governors at Bishop Rawstorne International Language College in Chorley for services to education, and Colin Lee from Leyland for services to dental technology.