The founder of Bradford's Mums' Army to keep the streets safe was today honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours' List.

Elizabeth Hellmich, who founded the award-winning Safe project has earned an MBE for her work in the community.

Other people in the district who received awards celebrating the Queen's official birthday were Rashid Awan, president of the Pakistan Society of West Yorkshire and Fiona Thurlbeck, of Thornton, who got MBEs.

Head teacher Jeremy Waxman, of Shipley, was awarded an OBE and Jenny Leach, of Brighouse, a former Chief Guide received a CBE. Neil Franklin, the chief crown prosecutor for West Yorkshire, was also awarded an OBE.

Mrs Hellmich, 53, founded Safe Areas For Everyone (Safe) in the wake of the Bradford riots as a way of reducing fear of crime among local communities.

Now the registered charity is active across Bradford. The group, which was recognised in the Bradford Council-run Community Harmony Awards, also honours youngsters through a Young Persons' Citizenship Award scheme.

Reacting to her MBE, Mrs Hellmich said: "It's brilliant. When I first got the letter saying I had been nominated I was amazed.

"I had to give permission for my name to be put forward and then I was sworn to secrecy.

"But when I found out it was definite I said to my husband, he'll have to fetch me down off the ceiling."

The mother-of-two is also chairman of the Bradford North Neighbourhood Watch Association, vice-chairman of the Heaton Urban Village Partnership, secretary of the Heaton Township Association and a member of Heaton Woods Trust.

Last year Mrs Hellmich received a national award from the Home Office which recognised the commitment of those tackling problems in their community.

She was also a foster mother for 27 years up until November and is a lunch-time supervisor at Heaton St Barnabas Primary School.

Mr Awan, who is president of the Bradford-based Pakistan Society of West Yorkshire, said he was "overwhelmed" to receive a MBE in recognition of his services to community relations.

The 69-year-old grandfather-of-four said: "I am overwhelmed and absolutely grateful to the people who have recommended me.

"My wife Khalida and I are over the moon. I give credit to my wife for being so supportive and patient with me over the years. My family is thrilled at the honour and very excited."

Mr Awan was the first chairman of the Bradford Kashmir Earthquake Trust set up by former Lord Mayor Valerie Binney to raise money to support schools, a health centre and housing.

He was the city's first Asian police officer and retired from the force 13 years. He was instrumental in setting up the Ethnic Minority Liaison Police Committee in 1998, of which he is now patron. Mr Awan was also chairman of the committee's Connecting Communities group which was funded by the Home Office.

He is also a former chairman of the Bradford South and West Primary Care Trust's Patient and Public Involvement Forum. In 2004 he won the Active Citizen Award at the Community Harmony Awards.

He is also the former chairman and now patron of the Bradford Asian Business Association.

Mr Waxman, 47, has been awarded the OBE after his school, Halifax High, became the most improved secondary school in West Yorkshire in 2004.

He said: "I feel personally very proud and honoured to receive this award.

"It is down to the commitment of staff, some really ambitious students and supportive parents. I feel it is all of their hard work and support that is behind the school's success and therefore this honour."

Thirty years of service to young people has earned the country's former Chief Guide Jenny Leach a CBE.

She first joined the Guide Association at the age of 11, and since becoming a volunteer leader of the 4th Rastrick Guides in 1973, she went on to hold various roles, including district and county commissioner and then chief commissioner for the north east. She became Chief Guide in 2001 and was also Chief Commissioner for the Commonwealth.

She said: "Girlguiding UK helps to build courage, character and confidence in the girls and young women it serves, from the Rainbow who develops a new network of friends, to the Brownie who goes on her first pack holiday, to the Guide who gains understanding of other cultures.

"I have been delighted to be part of these girls' and young women's lives."

Thornton mum Mrs Thurlbeck, 38, received her MBE for her services to learning and skills across West Yorkshire. She is project manager of Halifax Works in 1999 which helps people into work and training.

She said: "I have known for a few weeks about the MBE but we had to keep it quiet. It was a tremendous surprise. I am over the moon but it's more about all the efforts everyone is making who works alongside me."

West Yorkshire chief crown prosecutor Mr Franklin, 58, dedicated his OBE to the efforts of his team.

He said: "I am delighted to receive this honour. As Chief Crown Prosecutor in West Yorkshire I work with a team of excellent people who work extremely hard and who are dedicated to doing the best job they can.

"I see this award as a reflection of their commitment and also that of our partners in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) with whom I've worked so closely for many years. West Yorkshire, in my mind, is a special part of the CJS."

Mr Franklin is acting as the Crown Prosecution Service Gold Commander' in the UK during the World Cup and is responsible for ensuring that all areas are equipped to obtain football banning orders on any England supporters returned to this country who have been prosecuted in Germany.

e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk ends