BRITAIN'S heart tsar Dr Roger Boyle, a former consultant cardiologist at York Hospital, is made a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Dr Boyle, who was appointed the Department of Health's national director for heart disease in 2000, heads the Government's battle against coronary heart disease.

He moved to his post from York Hospital, where he had worked as a senior consultant since 1983.

A cook at a rural primary school, who is known to all as Auntie Vera, is made an MBE for services to education.

Vera Gray, 63, of Stephenwath Lane, Bugthorpe, has worked in the kitchens at Bugthorpe Primary School since January 1967.

"I was absolutely gobsmacked when I found out I'd received an MBE," she said.

Head teacher Kay Woodfine said: "She's been known by all the children throughout the years as Auntie Vera. Everyone thinks of her with great affection."

Sandra Furby, the manager of Future Prospects in York, who is made an MBE, said: "It's a lovely surprise." Sandra, 45, from Woodthorpe, believed the award was in recognition of the Swinegate-based organisation's work in supporting and training people trying to find work.

North Yorkshire teacher Paul Keogh, recently named secondary school teacher of the year, has now been made an MBE.

The 40-year-old head of languages has taught at King James's School, in Knaresborough, for 16 years.

He said: "I see this as an honour for everyone in the school."

Also made an MBE is Sydney Garson, 77, of Main Street, Hutton Buscel, near Scarborough, for his services over 19 years to the Sea Cadets.

John Box, 58, a substance misuse worker, who works with 15 to 18-year-olds at HM Young Offenders' Institute in Wetherby, is made an MBE.

Former Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) coxswain Roland Stork, of Bridlington, is also made an MBE for his services to the institution.

Inspector Christine Longmore is awarded the Queen's Police Medal for her work with North Yorkshire Police and as a member of the International Police Task Force (IPTF).

York-based Insp Longmore, 45, recently spent three years in Bosnia working to restore the country's police force after the 1992 to 1995 war.

Philip Edward Morris, chairman of the Harrogate branch of the British Heart Foundation, is made an MBE for his services to people with heart disease in Harrogate.

Mr Morris has been chairman for 31 years and to date, the branch has raised more than £800,000.

Tony Doveston, regional director of the BHF, said: "We are truly delighted that Philip's work has been recognised."

York's only independent councillor, Janet Hopton, is made an MBE for services to communities in Nether and Upper Poppleton.

Coun Hopton represents Rural West ward on City of York Council.

Transport expert Professor Anthony Dormer May, of Thirlby, near Thirsk, is made an OBE for his services to transport research. He is director of the University of Leeds Institute for Transport Studies.

Updated: 09:09 Saturday, June 12, 2004