A WALLASEY woman has been awarded an OBE for services to special needs education in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Pat Stewart, head teacher at Clatterbridge Special School, Bebington, said: "I'm extremely honoured to get an OBE. It's really a celebration of the work that pupils and staff have done as well as the support from the Local Education Authority."

Mrs Stewart, 47, took charge of Clatterbridge in January 1996 and turned around the school after a critical OFSTED report. Now there is a cheerful and supportive learning environment for 62 pupils, who say goodbye to the Clatterbridge site on July 2. The school will be relocating to Eastham as the Lyndale School.

Other local names honoured include Pamela Brown, of Birkenhead, for services to the Friends of the Merseyside Maritime Museum. She was "absolutely delighted and thrilled to bits for all the volunteers involved" at receiving her MBE.

John Cox, from Great Sutton, paid thanks to volunteer staff at the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association in Cheshire for his MBE. "I'm overwhelmed. I owe it to a very good team of volunteers."

Peter Hitchmough, of Wallasey, received an MBE for services to the local community as sub-officer for the Merseyside Fire Brigade.

Birkenhead's Stephen Thomas, the chairman of Port Sunlight and Warrington joint senior stewards' group, was awarded his MBE for services to employee relations.

An MBE also went to Wirral's John Lewis, higher executive officer at the Home Office.

Director of Finance for the NHS, Colin Reeves, formerly of Wirral, was appointed a CBE for his services to health care, being responsible for a budget of over £40 billion.

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