A FARMER who saw at first-hand the devastation caused by foot-and-mouth is among those from the region to be honoured.

Other recipients include a cheesemaker, a showwoman and a teacher who went the extra mile to help pupils from a poverty-stricken area.

People from all walks of life in the North, including those involved in the recreation business, education, and health, were awarded accolades in recognition of their services to the community, in the Queen's Birthdays Honours list.

Farmer Gordon Meek, 46, from Heddon-on-the Wall, Northumberland, was honoured for his services to the rural economy in England.

The father-of two provided vital help and support to farmers when foot-and-mouth took a hold in the region, starting on his doorstep.

Mr Meek, a National Farmers' Union representative for Northumberland and Durham, liaised with Maff and its successor, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on behalf of hundreds of farmers.

Mr Meek, who was awarded an OBE, said: "I was completely surprised to receive this and I certainly was not expecting it. I feel very humbled and very honoured."

Barbara Robinson, a teacher for 27 years, was applauded for her work as a community project manager at Blakeston School, Stockton.

The mother-of-two, who has worked there since 1986, brings parents from the area back into the classroom to gain qualifications. She is also head of lower sixth and teaches English and drama.

She said: "My husband said to me, 'you have always done over and above whatever is required'. I had not looked at it like that before. I love my job and I love helping both the parents and the children. To be recognised for that is amazing."

Valerie Moody's family have worked as show people for more than eight generations.

The 56-year-old mother of two was recognised for her work in encouraging and supporting traveller families to give their children the best possible start in life.

She is national education liaison officer for the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain and has been awarded an MBE for services to the education of traveller children.

She said: "I'm absolutely thrilled. I left school with no qualifications and now I've got this."

The Very Reverend John Arnold, Dean of Durham, 68, has been awarded an OBE for services to the European Ecumenical Movement. His award comes just six months before his retirement from Durham Cathedral and a lifetime's service to the Church.

He said: "I am very delighted with the honour. In these last 13 years Durham Cathedral has been a marvellous place to work. The strength of the community has given me a very firm base to work from."

Award-winning cheesemaker Judy Bell, of Newsham, near Thirsk in North Yorkshire, who has devoted more than 12 years of voluntary work to the food industry as well as building up a successful business, received an MBE

Durham

OBE

The Very Rev John Robert Arnold. Dean of Durham. For services to the European Ecumenical Movement. (Durham)

Ann Dolphin. Deputy change director, HM Board of Inland Revenue. (Darlington)

James Gordon Parker. Registrar. For services to the Public Lending Right. (Stockton)

David Wilkinson. Headteacher, Pennywell School, Sunderland. For services to education. (Shincliffe Village)

MBE

Sheila Ord Fabb. Lately higher executive officer, Department for Education and Skills. (Darlington).

Barbara Elizabeth Anne Robinson. Community project manager, Blakeston Community School, Stockton. For services to education. (Stockton)

Alastair Rodgers. Director, Northern Offshore Federation. For services to the oil and gas industry in the North of England. (Darlington)

Kishore Devsi Shah. Environment health and safety manager, Terra Nitrogen UK. For services to safety in the fertiliser industry. (Stockton)

Stephen York. Transport and plant manager, Environment Agency. Services to the environment. (Darlington)

Tyne and Wear

KNIGHTS BACHELOR

Bobby Robson, CBE. For services to association football. (Newcastle)

OBE

Pamela Elizabeth Buckley. Specialty manager, urology and renal services, Newcastle NHS Trust. For services to health care. (Newcastle)

David Clifford. Managing director, Port of Tyne Authority. For services to business in North-East England. (Sunderland)

Anthony Denis Kennan. For services to the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. (Gosforth, Newcastle)

Gordon Neale. Chief executive, Disability Sport England. For services to disabled sport. (Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear)

Margaret Edythe Stone. Lately principal, Norham Community Technology College, North Tyneside. For services to education. (Newcastle)

Ruth Thompson. For services to the New Deal in Tyne and Wear. (Sunderland)

MBE

Marion Chirnside. For services to the community in Benwell, Tyne and Wear. (Newcastle)

Bertram James Culling. For services to the Sunderland Laryngectomee Club and to the National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs. (South Tyneside)

Edwin John Farr. For services to the British Stuttering Association and to the European League of Stammering Associations. (Newcastle).

Gordon Ibinson. Chairman. For services to the Hylton Castle and Townend Farm Boys' Club, Wearside. (Washington, Wearside)

North Yorkshire and Teesside

CBE

Philip Michael White. Chief executive, National Express Group. For services to public transport. (Harrogate, North Yorkshire)

OBE

Irene Veronica Bird. Governor, HM Prison/Young Offender's Institution, New Hall, HM Prison Service, Home Office. (Harrogate, North Yorkshire)

Col the Hon Richard Nicholas Crossley. For services to the community, especially the Ocean Youth Trust, in North-East England. (Malton, North Yorkshire)

David Gant. Lately Deputy Governor, HM Prison Full Sutton, HM Prison Service, Home Office. (Harrogate, North Yorkshire)

Gillian Denise Garbutt. Community education manager, Northern Ryedale District, Pickering, North Yorkshire. For services to young people. (Pickering)

Margaret Mary, Lady Huxtable. For services to the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association in North Yorkshire. (Leyburn)

Margaret Marie Murray. Nurse consultant, orthopaedic nursing practice, South Tees Hospital NHS Trust. For services to health Care. (Middlesbrough)

Professor Anthony William Robards. Pro vice-Chancellor, University of York. For services to higher education. (York)

Judy Bell. Farmer and cheese maker. For services to the community in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. (Thirsk)

John Stuart Gordon Greenwood. For services to the WRVS in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. (Harrogate)

George Michael Guest. For services to the community in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire. (Anlaby, East Riding)

Charles Richard Jackson. For services to the community in West and North Yorkshire. (Knaresborough, North Yorkshire)

Valerie Kay Moody. National education liaison officer, Showmen's Guild of Great Britain. For services to the education of traveller children. (Middlesbrough)

David William Rooke. For services to flood defence and to the environment. (York)

Christine Wood. President, National Federation of Builders Yorkshire Association. For services to the construction industry. (Harrogate, North Yorkshire)

Northumberland

ORDER OF THE BATH

Alastair Harkness Papps. Lately associate director, Centre for management and policy studies, Cabinet Office, and operational director, HM Prison Service. (Alnwick)

OBE

Philip Barry Ashmore. Director, Nissan Motor Manufacturing. For services to the New Deal in Northumberland. (Morpeth)

Gordon Robert Meek. For services to the rural economy in Northumberland. (Ponteland)

MBE

Bryan Percy Beattie, JP. For services to the community in Bedlington, Northumberland. (Bedlington)

Margaret Ellen Featherstone. For services to the League of Friends at Wansbeck and Ashington Hospitals, Northumberland. (Ashington)

Jocelyn Hilda Stephenson. For services to the community, especially the Citizens' Advice Bureau, based in Morpeth, Northumberland. (Morpeth)