A pioneering nurse and a dedicated police officer were today given awards in the New Year's Honours.

Retired breast care specialist nurse Norma Russell, who set up the city's first breast cancer support services, has been honoured with an MBE for her services to health care.

And Inspector Martin Baines, Bradford's community and race relations officer, is to receive the Queen's Police Medal for helping to build bridges between ethnic minority groups and the police in the city.

Other recipients in the Bradford area include former Keighley Cougars coach Phil Larder, England's assistant coach for five years, who has been given an MBE for his services to the sport. He is part of the rugby union squad that has been recognised in its entirety for the historic World Cup win against Australia.

Also among them is England forward Michael Tindall, who was born in Otley and now plays for Bath.

Mrs Russell, 59, of Fairweather Green, who worked at St Luke's Hospital's breast cancer department and retired this year after 40 years nursing, said she was speechless when she learned of her award.

"It's a huge surprise," she said. "And I would like to pay tribute to the wonderful professional team and the women in Bradford.

"It's a demanding but wonderful job and it was a privilege to help and support women with breast cancer."

The mother-of-four was given the role as the city's first breast care specialist nurse 18 years ago and set up the new role virtually single handed.

"I was there when the women were diagnosed and helped them understand what the diagnosis meant," she said.

"Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease and it can take a long time to sink in so I would make lots of home visits after diagnosis to help and support the women."

She was one of the first breast care specialist nurses in Yorkshire and was instrumental in setting up the Bradford Cancer Support Centre at Daisy Bank and Bosom Friends, a support group for women with the disease.

She also helped develop a holistic approach to the cancer within Bradford and also looked at ways of improving facilities for women with prosthetic breasts.

"I contacted Marks and Spencer and asked it for advice on which bras would be most suitable for women with prosthetic breasts," she said.

"We also looked at swimwear and other fitted garments.

"It's important to get them through the disease but it's equally important to help them cope with their self image and self concept. And the main thing that gave them a huge boost was the Bosom Friends fashion show.

"It's a devastating disease which affects the whole family as well as the woman's view of herself."

Mrs Russell, who trained at St James's hospital in Leeds before becoming a district nurse in Bradford, also wrote Yorkshire's first handbook for women with breast cancer.

"Now Bradford has a superb breast care unit at St Luke's with a professional team of surgeons, radiographer, radiotherapist, oncologists and chemotherapy nurses," she said.

Insp Baines is to be honoured in recognition of his work to improving relations between the district's minority groups and the police.

After the Manningham riots in 1995, Insp Baines helped set up the Minorities Police Liaison Committee and was awarded £300,000 by the Home Office towards the scheme.

"It's tremendous to been listed for the award, it's great to receive something like this," he said.

"As part of my work I've also helped women in Pakistan who are victims of a forced marriage to come back to the UK."

Insp Baines was born in Bradford and joined West Yorkshire Police in 1974. He has worked in all of Bradford's divisions including Keighley. He is also chairman of the Bradford Hate Crime Alliance.

West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn will also receive the Queen's Police Medal.

Rastrick teacher Sara Brigg will receive the MBE for services to education.

She was crowned the country's top primary school teacher in October 2002 and won £20,000 for Castlefields Infant School, where she is deputy head.

She won Primary Teacher of the Year at the BT Teaching Awards and collected her prize at a glittering ceremony at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London's West End.

She was nominated for the award by a parent who had been impressed by her manner and creativity during an event she had organised - an overnight stay for parents and children from the reception class.

Judges were also impressed by the dance club she runs, both for fun and to enable her to model effective ways of dealing with difficult children.

Jennifer Ann Furness, of Cleckheaton, an Inland Revenue enforcement department case worker will be given an MBE, along Elizabeth Hibbert, of Cleckheaton, a secretary, for her services to the police.

Joan Trowsdale, a teacher at Skipton's Parish Church School, will also receive an MBE for her services to education.

Audrey Totty, 80, president of the Yorkshire Countrywomen's Association, has been given the MBE for services to women in rural communities.

Mrs Totty, of Bramhope, said: "I'm shattered and can't really believe it. I'm sure that I really haven't done much to deserve it."

The association, which last year celebrated its 20th anniversary, was set up by Mrs Totty following the dividing up of Women's Institutes across Yorkshire.

The association, which is very similar to the WI, has never increased its annual subscription with members paying only £1 a year plus additional subscriptions to their own branch.

Former vice-chairman of the Yorkshire Dales Society Dr Jim Burton, of Ilkley, was honoured with an MBE for services to the environment.

Dr Burton, of Wheatley Road, a retired meteorologist with the Leeds Weather Centre,also worked in Australia and spent two years researching in Antarctica.

For four years he was the regional chairman of the Council for the Protection of Rural England and is now one of the campaigners fighting to re-open the Skipton to Colne railway.

Dr Burton, 73, said: "I am delighted and overwhelmed by the honour.

"It is a fabulous award and I am delighted that my work has been recognised."

Another Ilkley resident to receive an honour is Timothy Ratcliffe, who received an MBE for services to community relations in Bradford.