Honours for PC and homes chief

Kidderminster-based police traffic management officer, PC Julian Turner, was given an MBE, while Yvonne Leishman, managing director of The Community Housing Group - previously known as Wyre Forest Community Housing - earned an OBE.

PC Turner, 46, who is a father of two, has been in the police force for 25 years and operates out of Kidderminster Police Station.

He said: "I was absolutely shocked to discover I had been awarded an MBE but it was also a very proud moment.

"I feel this award recognises the good work being done by North Worcestershire police and our partner organisations, such as Worcestershire County Council's accident studies team and the various highways departments, to save lives by working together to improve the roads.

"I see it as an award not just for myself but for the division and the force."

Chief Supt Mark Howard, commander of North Worcestershire police, congratulated PC Turner on his award, saying: "Being awarded an MBE is a superb achievement and well deserved.

"We have seen a massive reduction in the number of people killed and seriously injured in the last 12 months and PC Turner has played a major part in that."

Ms Leishman has played a major role in the development of Wyre Forest Community Housing, which was set up in 2000 to manage Kidderminster's housing stock after taking it over from the district council.

More than £50 million has been spent in the meantime on refurbishing homes and constructing new ones.

More than 5,700 people have been housed in the properties.

"I am absolutely delighted to be honoured in this way," said Ms Leishman, 48. "We have worked very closely with tenants, the council and the wider community to make a difference and I am glad to say we are doing that.

"We have housed nearly 6,000 people in five years and have been praised by the Audit Commission and the Housing Corporation for our work.

"This OBE really belongs to everybody at Community Housing, not just me."