A DISTRICT scout commissioner and charity fundraiser has been given a British Empire Medal for services to children and young people in Rossendale.

Catherine Louise Cooper, from Haslingden, was 'over the moon' to hear about being named on the Queen's Honours List.

The 54-year-old said: "I have been a bit overwhelmed as you don't do all the work for recognition, you do it just to help people.

"It is nice to think that somebody has thought about what I do and put in a nomination.

"I was Rossendale Woman of the Year in 2014 but this is even better and cannot believe it to be honest.

"I started in scouting for 34 years ago and when you married into the Cooper family you got involved in scouting.

"It has been an awful year for so many people and we have been delivering food parcels and toys to children and talking to others in Zoom meetings and it was good to get speaking to them and they loved talking to each other and that is why you do it."

Catherine also helps out with fundraising for Rossendale Hospice and helps young people in the area.

She is married to Andrew and has two kids Oliver and Emma who are both involved in scouting too.