VETERAN councillors, a children's rights campaigner, senior business support figure and a Samaritans worker are among those honoured by the Queen today.

They are the East Lancashire people listed in the Queen's Birthday honours.

Joyce Holgate

An 80-year-old veteran community worker and borough councillor has been awarded an MBE.

Coun Holgate, who is a familiar face to many in Whalley, said she was ‘absolutely delighted’ after being recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours.

Coun Holgate said: “I was very surprised. When I first found out I was absolutely speechless.

“When I was a girl in Sabden I knew a woman called Alice Booth who got an MBE, but I never dreamed I would follow in her footsteps.”

Coun Holgate ran the Abbey Candy Store in King Street, Whalley, for years and founded the village’s chamber of trade.

She has been heavily involved in Whalley’s annual Pickwick Night and has held various voluntary roles at Carers Link, Calderstones NHS Trust and Whalley Primary School.

She has also represented the village on Ribble Valley Council for 16 years and was last month returned for a further four years with a record 978 votes.

And she insisted she had no plans to slow down.

She said: “As long as I can, I will carry on doing what I do best. I just love working with people.”

Maureen Bateson

Also honoured with an MBE was Maureen Bateson, 62, who has represented Ewood for 28 years and is a former Mayor of the borough.

The mother-of-three’s current portfolio is leading the council on education and children’s services and she is recognised for decades of service to Blackburn with Darwen Council.

She said: “Hearing about the award was a complete surprise.

“To be honest I’ve never even considered the honours system.

“The greatest reward for me is representing the constituents of Ewood but I’m honoured to have been recognised in this way.

“Doing this role I meet so many terrific and dedicated people working for the community in Blackburn.”

Doreen Marie Yate

A Samaritan has been awarded an MBE after helping thousands of vulnerable people in a voluntary career spanning three decades.

Doreen Marie Yate, who has volunteered with Samaritans since 1980, has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Over the last 31 years she has twice been director of the Pendle, Burnley, Craven and Rossendale branch, based in Nelson.

The great-grandmother, who lives in Barrowford, has filled the same role in Rochdale and has been chairman of the Samaritans Correspondence branch.

She was instrumental in setting up a freepost scheme which allows prisoners to send and receive letters to the Samaritans.

Doreen, 79, said she was delighted by the honour.

She said: “I am absolutely gobsmacked. For once in my life I’m speechless and I’m sure my family will be beside themselves.

“I’m going to stay up until after midnight and then call my daughter in New Zealand to break the news.”

Doreen was born in London and lived there through the Second World War blitz until the V2 rocket campaign started, at which point she was evacuated to Liverpool.

She moved to East Lancashire in 1968 when her husband was made works director at Burnley Engineering Products.

And she became involved with the Samaritans following his death in 1981.

Dennis Taylor

Dennis Taylor, the former boss of the Lancashire Economic Partnership (LEP), has been honoured for services to local government and communities.

The Sunderland-born former Bury Council chief executive, who is now a freelance business advisor, said: “I feel very humble but delighted to get this honour.

“Becoming chief executive of Bury Council was a lifetime ambition fulfilled but the time I enjoyed most in my career was my time at the LEP in East Lancashire.

“We showed what can be achieved when businesses, councils and others work together, and I have now got Lancashire in my blood.”

Pauline Geraghty

Pauline Geraghty, 51, from the Sunnyhurst area of Darwen is another recipient.

She led the Lancashire Children’s Rights project and is rewarded for services to young people.

She said: “I was very shocked when I found out. I’ve worked with young people for twenty-odd years but it never crossed my mind.

“I think our achievement in Lancashire was giving a voice to children and young people making sure they are cared for properly.”