Animals’ best friend is made an MBE.

AN animal lover who has taken in strays for more than 40 years said receiving an honour was an unexpected surprise.

Veronica Broderick, 76, was nominated for an MBE for her services to rescuing abused animals.

For more than four decades, she has nursed hundreds of abandoned pets back to health in her own home despite receiving no funding for her work.

Mrs Broderick, from Middlesbrough, said she had loved animals since she was a child.

“I prefer them to people – they don’t let you down,” she said.

For many years, she has helped care for the array of breeds, especially the birds, at Middlesbrough’s Stewart’s Park.

She also spends time at Newham Grange Leisure Farm, in Coulby Newham, in the town, where she leads tours and is fundraising for a new horse shelter.

She shares her home with four dogs and four cats, but knows that a new addition to the family could land on her doorstep any day.

“The last dog that was left here is a Shar Pei cross, which was in a bad way,” Mrs Broderick said.

“She was 18lb underweight and had an open wound. The vet said that if she had suffered any longer, she would have died from starvation.”

Pets are not the only animals she has nurtured.

She looked after a goose in her bathtub and has handreared both a squirrel and a parrot.

“I am thrilled to be receiving the honour. I have no idea who nominated me, so it is completely unexpected, but has made me very happy,” she added.

■ A CBE has gone to Paul Corrigan, the husband of North-East MP Hilary Armstrong, for his services to the health service.

Professor Corrigan, who recently left his role as director of commissioning improvement and innovation at NHS London, advised Prime Minister Tony Blair and health secretaries Alan Milburn and John Reid, and is widely regarded as the brains behind the development of foundation hospitals as public service organisations.

He now works as a consultant.

Dedication is rewarded

A DEDICATED volunteer who spent years trying to improve a disadvantaged area of her home town has been awarded an MBE.

Julie Rudge, of Hartlepool, is honoured for services to the community, particularly her work in the New Deal for Communities (NDC) area.

This area experiences high levels of anti-social behaviour and drug related crime The 49-year-old said she was shocked by the award.

She said: “I would never have expected this in a zillion years. I love what I do. I have 20 years experience of volunteering and I will continue.”

An elected resident representative on the NDC Partnership, she has acted as cochair for the crime and safety theme alongside the local police district commander. She is also secretary of her local Residents’ Association.

High note for local conductor

A MUSICIAN from the region becomes as MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Xenophon Kelsey, pictured, a renowned conductor, music teacher and composer, was rewarded for his services to music.

Mr Kelsey is the director of the St Cecilia Orchestra, the Ripon Youth String Orchestra, the Ripon Community Orchestra and the Mowbray Ensemble, some of which he also helped to found.

He said: “It’s very nice to be recognised and appreciated for the work you do.

“I went to a tea party at the Palace last summer, which was very busy and hectic, but I’m sure the next trip there will be a bit more civilised.”

A former pupil of Ripon Grammar School, Mr Kelsey studied horn, double bass, piano and conducting in Manchester, before going on to found the Bowdon Sinfonietta and the Northern Pro Arte Ensemble.

He has spent much of his career working with young composers and youth orchestras.

Staff hailed by recipient

THE head of a police training centre has dedicated his OBE to all of his staff.

Keith Fryer, head of the National Training Centre (NTC) for Scientific Support to Crime Scene Investigation at Harperley Hall, near Crook, County Durham, said the development of the facility was due to the people who work there.

The Georgian mansion now hosts an advanced forensic science training centre, having undergone a £15m upgrade which was officially opened by Princess Anne in September last year.

Stockton-born Mr Fryer, 58, started work at the NTC in 1992, as one of the first forensic science instructors. He was appointed head in 2006.

He described the OBE as a great honour, but added: “It is not just for myself, but all of the team who helped develop the site over the years.”