A BURY headteacher and a woman who is devoted to disability work have both been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Mr Paul Hopkins, headmaster of St Gabriel's RC High School for more than 20 years, earned an OBE for services to education.

And Mrs Eileen Taplin, a founding member of Bury and District Disabled Advisory Council (BADDAC) was awarded the MBE in recognition of her service to the organisation.

Married with two sons and a daughter, Mr Hopkins, who is in his 50s, hails from the Manchester area. He qualified as a teacher at Manchester University around 35 years ago.

He later taught history at St Peter's Grammar School in the city for 13 years before being appointed deputy head of St Gabriel's in 1979 as the school changed from being a secondary modern to fully comprehensive.

In 1980, he took over as headteacher and is one of the longest-serving headmasters in the borough. Mr Hopkins, who lives in Bury, said: "It came as a big surprise. It's a great honour which I believe totally reflects on St Gabriel's and the Catholic community in Bury."

Disability volunteer Eileen Taplin, of Malton Avenue, Whitefield, is celebrating her MBE.

Mrs Taplin was a founding member of BADDAC in 1981 and is now chairman.

Sworn to secrecy after learning about the award by letter early last month, Mrs Taplin (71) said that the news had been difficult to keep to herself.

"It was overwhelming to receive the letter, I couldn't believe it and it took ages to sink in. It really is a great honour," she said.

"It's good that the voluntary sector gets recognition like this, and there are a lot of volunteers who deserve the award."

Mrs Taplin, who has a disabled son, Chris, has been involved in disability work since 1963. She was also instrumental in setting up the Bury Crossroads carers' group and Shopmobility, where she remains secretary.

The MBE is not the first recognition of her services, In 1991 she received the Freedom of the City of London for voluntary work in the capital.

She will return to London in the early autumn, to be presented with her MBE by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

She said: "I'll be scared stiff, but it will be wonderful to go down and receive it."

Help and support from family, in particular husband Gerry, have been essential, said Eileen.

"He's chauffeured me around all these years to different meetings. I think he deserves some recognition too."

BADDAC chief officer Alan Norton said: "It is absolutely superb that recognition has been made of Eileen's many years of hard work and flying the flag for disabled people and their carers."

Bury-born Stewart Hulse has been awarded an MBE for his 35 years service to life-saving on the Lakeland fells.

A former Bury FC player, the 66-year-old is well known in Cumbria and for 16 years was leader of the Langdale and Ambleside mountain rescue team. He is married with two children.