A Fylde guide leader will be swapping her uniform for something equally smart after being awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.

Jacky Ramsden 45, of South Holme, Lytham, will receive her royal accolade during a visit to Buckingham Palace in recognition of her services to young people through the Girlguiding UK network over the last 27 years.

As the national outdoor activities adviser and regional senior section leader, Jacky - a former brownie and girl guide - has seen more than 600,000 girl guides and rangers pass through the organisation.

She has also helped hundreds of Fylde youngsters carry out hours of community work as well as assisting in voluntary work projects in countries such as India and Honduras.

Jacky said: "I've always got such a lot out of the guiding network.

"It's always been reward enough to watch so many wonderful girls develop into confident young women through learning new skills and pushing themselves to strive to do their best.

"I was astonished and speechless when I first found out about the MBE, but I'm now very proud that my work within the organisation has been acknowledged with this remarkable award.

"I'd better start planning what to wear for when I receive it!"

Girlguiding UK's Chief Guide, Jenny Leach said, "We are delighted that Jacky's service to Guiding has been acknowledged and recognised in this highly significant way.

"Jacky has played a crucial role in helping to widen the horizons of thousands of girls and young women in our organisation, in her role as outdoor activities adviser for girl guiding throughout the UK, and in her local connections."

l Other Fylde Coast people named in the New Year Honours list include former Blackpool Mayor, Cllr Lily Henderson, who becomes an MBE marking her years of work in the voluntary sector. John Bradbury, station officer at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Knott End station, receives an MBE for his work in the rescue service.