THREE people from Bury are featured in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

There is an OBE for veteran Labour councillor Derek Boden while former school caretaker John Davenport, from Ramsbottom, and Pension Service executive Charlotte Ann Piper, from Bury, have been awarded MBEs.

Coun Boden (67), who was awarded the OBE for services to local government, has been a serving councillor for 32 years and has just been re-elected for a further four years -- representing Besses ward -- in last Thursday's elections. He is also leader of the North West Regional Assembly.

The former Bury Council leader, of Thatch Leach Lane, Whitefield, said: "I am pleased and indeed honoured to receive this award. I understand it is for my long service, which I hope has been constructive.

"This recognises the importance of local government in democracy as a whole and also recognises the sacrifices my family has had to make so that I could devote my time and energy to local government."

Rubbing shoulders with the elite is Mr John Davenport (65), of Whittingham Drive, Ramsbottom, who has just retired as school caretaker at St Paul's primary in Bury after 13 years. His MBE recognises his services to education.

Throughout his term at the Porritt Street school, he had decorated classrooms in his spare time and was a popular caretaker with pupils and staff.

In a separate honour, he has been invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace. His name was put forward by St Paul's headteacher Trevor Croasdale.

Making up the trio of local Birthday Honour recipients is Mrs Piper. She is senior executive with the Pension Service.