BRITAIN'S first woman chief constable and a British Aerospace boss are among the Lancashire people to be recognised by the Queen in her birthday honours list today.

Pauline Clare, who was chosen to head the Lancashire Constabulary almost a year ago, has scooped the Police Medal for Distinguished Service.

The award comes almost a year after her historic appointment and just a month after she won the North West Woman of Achievement Award.

She is one of 17 police officers across the UK to receive the prestigious award.

Mrs Clare joined Lancashire police in 1966 and served until 1974 when she transferred to Merseyside. Her early service was in uniform, but she gained all-round experience in community relations, computer project management and both sub-divisional and divisional commands.

She later became assistant chief constable for Merseyside in 1992 when she took over responsibility for crime operations.

She was transferred to Cheshire as its deputy chief constable in September, 1994, before her widely-acclaimed appointment last year.

Today Mrs Clare said: "Obviously I am delighted with the honour which comes towards the end of an extraordinary year for me. "My appointment as chief constable was a memorable occasion and the award of this medal puts the seal on a wonderful period of my life.

"The medal is given in recognition of my police activity, but it also an honour I would like to share with all the people with whom I work.

"I am proud to be their chief constable and I am proud that my service has been acknowledged in this way."

The chief executive of British Aerospace, Dick Evans, 54, gains a knighthood.

The Queen honoured him for his services to the Aerospace and defence industries. Blackpool-born Mr Evans, who holds a CBE, gained much of his experience at BAe's Lancashire military aircraft factories.

He worked in the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation until until 1967, when he was appointed Government Contracts Officer at Ferranti in Manchester.

Two years later, he joined the British Aircraft Corporation at Warton as a contracts officer.

In 1988, he became chairman of BAe defence companies, British Aerospace Dynamics and Royal Ordnance.

He succeeded Sir Raymond Lygo as chief executive of BAe in Preston in 1990.

Audrey Forster becomes an MBE for her services to guiding.

She is county president of Preston-based Lancashire North West Guides Association and is also chairman of Lancashire Council for Voluntary Youth Services.

Richard Heyes, the president of Central Lancashire Dial-a-Ride, also becomes an OBE.

Chorley-based Mr Heyes was given the honour for his services to the mobility of disabled people.

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