THE Knighthood for Olympian Steve Redgrave may have topped today's honours list, but heroes and heroines from around North and East Yorkshire have also been recognised for their selfless service.

They include a man who has devoted almost 20 years of his life to a boys' club in Ryedale, a woman who oversees the use of a life-saving drug, and a former chairman of York Waterworks.

Leader of St Peter's Church Boy's Club in Norton, David Lester, said he was "thrilled" with his MBE.

Mr Lester has devoted almost 20 years of his life to the club, and he ran the very first meeting in January 1981.

He said: "Obviously I am thrilled. But all the excellent work that has been done at the club couldn't have happened without the other officers and everyone else who has helped over the years.

"They deserve as much credit as I do."

Mr Lester's trip to Buckingham Palace will be his second in twelve months, as earlier this year he was invited to a reception for community and voluntary sector workers.

He added: "To go once was a fantastic experience. I am honoured to be going again."

Patricia Pagan, 55, of Huntington, York, receives an OBE for her services to nursing.

For the past 15 years she has run the anti-coagulant clinic at York District Hospital, where she administers the drug warfarin, which thins the blood.

It is essential for patients who have had heart valve replacements or are prone to blood clots.

She said: "I feel a bit humble really. I want everyone in the department to get the award.

"We have a real family atmosphere here and my job wouldn't be half as nice without all the lovely patients."

Teresa Mary Killeen, of North Parade, in York, is awarded an MBE for her services to the Department of Social Security.

Speaking from her home, she said she was "shocked and surprised" about the announcement: "At first I thought it was a spoof and something that only ever happens to other people."

Mrs Killeen, 47, worked on the front counter in the DSS office in York for ten years and for the last five has been at the headquarters at Quarry House in Leeds.

A multiple sclerosis sufferer, she has just completed a Masters degree at York University and notably worked on DSS projects for child poverty and more recently trying to improve letters sent to customers - the "Better Letters" project.

The Mayor of Kirkbymoorside, Tony Clark, gains the MBE after 24 years on the town council.

Coun Clark, 56, is a radio and television engineer for local company Hill and Jackson.

He also played with the town's band "with distinction" for several years.

Council colleague Barry Brook said: "Tony is very much a local lad with a very strong allegiance to Kirkbymoorside.

"He is very proud of the town in which he lives and has devoted a large part of his life working hard to promoting the town and its interests."

Major General Christopher Callow, from Malton, formerly of the Royal Army Medical Corps, is awarded the Companion of the Honourable Order of the Bath.

Warrant Officer 1st Class Dale Dowdall, who is based at the Army Foundation College at Harrogate, receives the military OBE.

Warrant Officer Dowdall, who is a former regimental sergeant major with the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, is the evaluation officer at the college, responsible for ensuring the Army produces soldiers of the highest calibre.

Graham Wilford, former managing director of York Waterworks, receives the MBE.

Mr Wilford, who is also director and chairman of the York Millennium Bridge Project committee, is a civil engineer by profession.

He is also a member of York Rotary Club, where he is a strong supporter of voluntary service to the community of York. He said: "Obviously I am thrilled. This recognises 37 years in the water supply industry and it is tremendous credit for the work of York Waterworks."

Knaresborough man Gerry Mallon, chief nurse at Bradford Community Health NHS Trust, receives an MBE in recognition of his services to nursing. The trust runs community health services and mental health services in Bradford.

Pickering woman Elaine Bedford receives the MBE for her work as operations director of the English Tourist Board.

The Chief Constable of Humberside, David Westwood, is awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service.

Mr Westwood started his career in the Sussex Police in 1967 before being transferred to Avon and Somerset Constabulary where he rose through the ranks from sergeant to the position of chief superintendent.

He was appointed Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police in 1994 before moving to Humberside Police in 1997 when he was appointed Deputy Chief Constable.

Mr Westwood, who now lives in Hull, was appointed Chief Constable in 1999.

Bonnie Purchon, the President of the Scarborough Hotels Association, receives the MBE for services to the hospitality industry in Yorkshire.

Mrs Purchon is the proprietor of the 11-bedroom Hotel Columbus, in Columbus Ravine, Scarborough, which she bought in 1994.

She also serves on committees for town centre management in Scarborough, the town's fear of crime group and the Scarborough Forum for Tourism.

Also receiving the MBE were Joan Lillian Machin, a health visitor at Prospect Road Surgery in Scarborough, who was employed by the resort's NHS trust until last year, and Max Payne, who was last year made a Freeman of the Borough of Scarborough for raising money for the resort's St Catherine's Hospice.

Squadron Leader Michael Geoffrey Chambers, who serves at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, is awarded a military OBE. He comes from Bridlington.

Fred Walkington, a former coxswain with the RNLI in Bridlington, is awarded the MBE for services to maritime safety.

Olive Hunt receives a MBE for her community work in Goole.