A WOMAN who works tirelessly behind the scenes as its chairman and as a driving force in the continued success of the Bromsgrove Festival has had her hard work recognised by being awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours for her services to music.

Retired surgeon Mrs Mary White, who lives in Bromsgrove with her husband Dr Max White, a former town GP, has been the festival's chairman for 25 years.

She is widely acknowledged as being responsible for securing the festival financially in the early years of her chairmanship by introducing sponsorship and launching the Friends of the Festival - which has also helped broaden its appeal.

Modest when asked about her achievements, the festival's Young Musician's Platform and the continued emphasis on attracting up and coming talent to the spring festivals are said to be a source of pleasure to her.

News of her award resulted in many calls from well-wishers.

"Their kind comments for me and the festival gave me great pleasure." she said.

A woman of many and varied interests, she was a magistrate for many years who served on the Magistrates' Court Committee for 12 years she was a member of the British Medical Association for 18 years.

Another Bromsgrove resident, Dr Griselda Cooper, aged 56, a consultant anaesthetist at Birmingham Women's Hospital is made an OBE for her services to medicine.

She qualified in 1973 and has worked in the city since 1988.

Dr Cooper was one of the authors of a report Why Mothers Die in 2003.

Dr Melvyn Kershaw from Stourbridge, headteacher at Haybridge High School and Sixth Form in Hagley, has also received an OBE for services to education.