New Year honours for Lancashire people

12:01am Saturday 29th December 2007

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A YOUTH worker has told of his shock at being awarded the MBE - and said he wished his mother was still alive to share his joy.

Mel Diack, 54, of Mitton Road, Whalley, broke down in tears as he spoke of his pride at being named in the Queen's New Year's Honours list for his work with underprivileged youngsters.

Other local people honoured today include Burnley-born Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen, chief executive of East Lancashire Primary Care Trust David Peat and British Cycling Federation president Michael Brian Cookson.

Mr Diack's award came following his work over the past 12 years during which time he has helped hundreds of youngsters through his volunteer work with organisations such as The Prince's Trust and the Lancashire Association of Young People.

His mother, Jessie Cumming-Diack, of Whalley, died last year at the age of 85 and Mr Diack said he owed a great deal to the lessons she had taught him.

He said: "A lot of what I have done is down to her and the kind of person she was.

"She was very supportive and I just wish she was here to share this with me.

"I'm very honoured and didn't expect to ever get something like this.

"I have helped youngsters realise that there are options open to them and a lot have gone in the army or on to other jobs."

Mr Cookson, 56, of Bridgend, Whalley, who received an OBE for his services to sport.

Regeneration director at Pendle Borough Council, Mr Cookson was awarded the honour for his 11-year reign as president of the British Cycling Federation and the role he has played in helping the sport grow in popularity.

He said: "It's fantastic news.

"I was surprised because it was not something I thought would happen or something that motivates me but it is nice to have your work recogniser.

"I might open a bottle of champagne to celebrate or get out on my bike and go for a ride if I have time."

Mr Peat said his OBE was the perfect birthday gift, coming on the same day he turned 59.

Mr Peat, from Simonstone, was born and brought up in Haslingden and went to Haslingden Grammar School.

He said: "It's an honour in itself to serve the people I was brought up with and the area where I have lived virtually all my life, and this is an honour I feel I should share with all those people who made it possible."

Two police officers with links to the area were also named in the Queen's Police Medal list.

Julia Hodson, 50, is deputy chief constable of West Yorkshire police and up until 2005 she was assistant chief constable at Lancashire Constabulary.

She said: "This is a great honour, I feel quite humbled when I recall the wonderful people I have worked alongside over the past 25 years.

"I have spent most of my service as a manager and everything I have achieved, I have achieved with other people."

Joining her on the list was Alfred Henry Hitchcock. He is deputy assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police and played a key role in the enquiry in to the 2001 Burnley riots when he was a superintendent at Lancashire Constabulary.

Sir Ian McKellen, the Burnley born Lord of the Rings star, was named as a Companion of Honour in the list.