VOLUNTARY work with the church, schools and probation service in Evesham for many years earned Mary Pinder the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Mrs Pinder, aged 74, of Broadway Road, Evesham, said: "It was very unexpected. I would like to think it is just because of all of the nice people I have met during the course of my work and I receive it on their behalf."

With her husband, Ted, Mrs Pinder moved to Evesham from London after their marriage in 1947 and to their present home in 1960 when she began her association with St Peter's Church. She became a member of the Parochial Church Council and "with that came all sorts of other jobs in the Church".

It was through a Church course at Long Lartin Prison that she and Mr Pinder became involved as volunteers with the probation service in 1972 and her work at Long Lartin is still going on. "Schools have also been very much part of my life," she said.

"My two children went to Bengeworth First School where I became a governor and then when Simon de Montfort Middle School was built I was asked to serve as a governor there." She was chairman at Simon de Montfort for 16 years and the school arranged a surprise This is Your Life when she retired last July.

Mrs Pinder said: "I have loved it all. It has been very rewarding. What has been most touching is people's reactions. I have had lots of lovely hugs and you can't get too many of those."

l Elmley Castle man, William Taylor, QPM, who is HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Scotland, has been awarded the CBE for services to the police.

Mr Taylor, aged 54, has had a 35-year career with the police and has been in his present position since January 1999.

He is a former commissioner of police in London and HM Inspector of Constabulary in England and Wales. He is a key member of the executive committee of Interpol and was assistant commissioner of Specialist Operations at New Scotland Yard.

Mr Taylor has chaired the Association of Chief Police Officers crime committee for England and Wales.

He has indicated that he will retire from the police force, probably later this year.