TELEVISION personality Richard Whiteley has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Mr Whiteley, who lives in Burley Woodhead, now holds an OBE. He has achieved national fame as the host of the Countdown programme on Channel 4.

Mr Whiteley started his career in 1965 as a trainee ITN journalist and went on to be the first new reporter to appear on Yorkshire Television in July 1968, and was also the first face to appear on Channel 4.

"I'm obviously delighted and it has come at such a good time. I've been at Yorkshire TV 35 years, Countdown for 21 years and I'm 60, so it's been quite a year," he said.

"I think what I'm really pleased about is that it's for services to broadcasting, and I'm thrilled to have spent all my broadcasting time in Yorkshire.

"You don't have to be in London to do this. I'm delighted that I've been able to broadcast to the region from the region."

He also acknowledged all those in television who he has worked with over the years.

No fewer than six people living in the Ilkley area - or with strong ties to the town - have been singled out for accolades.

One of the region's top teachers, the principal of Dixon's City Technology College, John Lewis, 58, was awarded a knighthood in recognition of his services to education.

History teacher Mr Lewis, who already has an OBE, became a Knight Bachelor for his services to education.

Mr Lewis began teaching in 1969 and gained his first Head teacher position at Birchwood Community High School in Warrington in 1984.

He became principal of Dixon's CTC in Bradford in 1989. Mr Lewis lives in Ilkley, and is married with three sons.

Meanwhile the Ilkley-raised novelist, Jilly Cooper - now living in Gloucestershire - gets an OBE for her services to literature.

A founder of Ilkley and District Talking Newspaper and member of Ilkley Soroptimists, Elizabeth Hughes, was honoured with an MBE for her services to Soroptimist International and her work in the community in Ilkley.

The 72-year-old former head teacher, of Silsden, joined Ilkley Soroptimists in 1972 and was responsible for setting up the talking newspaper.

Miss Hughes said: "To receive an MBE is a great honour and I am very overwhelmed by it all."

West Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority chairman, Linda Pollard, was awarded the OBE for services to the community in Bradford.

Chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, David Jackson - another Ilkley resident - was awarded the CBE for his services to the NHS.