A KEIGHLEY couple who have been involved in fell running for three decades are among the recipients in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

David and Eileen Woodhead have been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their services to the sport.

The couple, of Hainworth Wood Road, organise races, help with national junior championships, write articles for magazines and promote the sport making it inclusive for everyone.

Mr Woodhead, 57, said they were shocked when they learned about the accolade.

"At first we thought it was a prank," he said.

"It's brilliant to be honoured, but slightly shocking.

"There are lots of other people like us who deserve a mention though. They are all volunteers doing it for the love of fell running and the sociable, friendly sport that it is."

The couple, who jointly held the role of Fell Runners Association junior fell co-ordinator until 2005, have been instrumental in introducing hundreds of young children to the sport.

And they have been pivotal in the development of many international athletes.

Their citation adds: "Numbers have vastly increased due to the time and commitment that they have put into the sport."

The BEM has also gone to Cullingworth woman Carolyn Booth, for services to the community in the Aire Valley.

Mrs Booth, 53, has been involved in numerous organisations.

She was a member of Rotaract and later helped set-up and run the pilot for the hugely successful Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.

She served on the Flower Fund Homes Committee, with the Ladies Circle and as a school governor.

And she is involved with the Scout movement. Formerly district commissioner for the Aire Valley, she is now West Yorkshire Scouts advisor for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

"I'm a bit shocked to receive the honour and I'm sure there are plenty of people more deserving than me," said Mrs Booth.

"I've always done things I really like and generally tried to help people."

Caroline Schwaller, who retired last year after running Keighley and Ilkley Voluntary and Community Action (KIVCA) since 1999, has also been honoured.

She has received the MBE.

She co-ordinated support for community groups across the Keighley constituency.

And she spearheaded the transformation of the then-derelict Central Hall, in Alice Street, into a flourishing community centre.

"It was really important that KIVCA was rooted both in local development work and influencing policy," Mrs Schwaller said on her retirement.

Regionally, Honours recipients include Yorkshire tourism chief Gary Verity, who has been knighted.

He was instrumental in bringing the Tour de France Grand Depart to this district last summer.

"I am honoured, delighted and quite frankly stunned by being given an award," said the Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive.