A FORMER Preston army commander is among those to be honoured in the Queen's New Year honours list.

Brigadier Alex Birtwistle OBE, who was colonel of The Queen's Lancashire Regiment, has now been appointed a CBE.

The Brigadier was honoured for his services during the foot and mouth crisis.

Speaking after he heard the news, the Brigadier, who lives in the Lune Valley, said he was pleased because it recognised not just his efforts but the group effort of both the military and the civilians involved in clearing the disease from the region.

And now, with the county officially declared foot and mouth free, Brigadier Birtwistle is still busy helping to regenerate the countryside. He works tirelessly, doing voluntary work as well as paid. He also draws on this experience in lecturing business people in leadership skills and crisis management.

A number of other people from Preston are also to be honoured.

Caryl Agard, director of the Progress Trust, is to be appointed an OBE for services to training.

John Caterall is to be honoured for services to the community, especially choral music, in Lancashire.

Preston's Gladys Helm will be honoured for her work for the Ministry of Defence and Colin Ovenden for services to the community in Preston.

And Leyland's Susan Ion, executive director of technology and operations for BNFL is to be honoured for services to the nuclear industry.