A host of Bradford district's unsung heroes - from a nurse to a Meals-on-Wheels cook - have been recognised in the New Year Honours.

Janet Wade, president of the Bradford Diocesan Mother's Union group, is one of three people from the district to receive an MBE.

Mrs Wade, pictured, has been a member of the mother's union for 20 years, and its president for the last six.

"I was very, very surprised to be nominated as you can imagine," she said.

"I felt overwhelmed. I don't think I do anything more than a lot of people but somebody must have thought so."

As well as her work with the Mother's Union, which provides support for families, Mrs Wade, 61, of Cononley, has played the organ at her local church for 20 years and is a lay canon at Bradford Cathedral.

Helen Hartley, of Stirton, near Skipton, was awarded the MBE after dedicating a large part of her life to helping others.

Mrs Hartley, 67, joined the Meals on Wheels service in 1964 and has run it since 1977.

"In the winter, I can make between two to four gallons of soup!" she said.

As with all the other winners, Mrs Hartley, who is involved in numerous community projects, thanked her colleagues for their help over the years.

"I feel really quite humble about it. You can never do any of these things if you have not got such fantastic support behind you," she said.

Also receiving an OBE was Professor Geoff Layer, Dean of the University of Bradford's school for lifelong learning.

He is also a director of Action on Access, a body that promotes wider access to higher education. He said the award was a boost for the city.

"It demonstrates the progress that Bradford University has made," he said.

"It is a significant institution in widening involvement and having some of the highest combinations of young people from socio-economic groups."

Gillian Godsell, 45, a specialist sister in the skin cancer dept at Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, was given an OBE.

Originally from Bradford, she attended Bingley Grammar School and worked as a policewoman in Shipley for a year before moving to Nottingham 19 years ago and retraining as a nurse.

Ms Godsell, nee Whitaker, has helped cut waiting lists by training nurses to take skin biopsies.

"It's all team work. I've got the reward but I couldn't have done it without my colleagues," she said.

Graham Hall, chairman of Government regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward, was awarded a knighthood.

Sir Graham, 59, said he was delighted and humbled by the honour.

"It is good news for the region and Yorkshire Forward board, management and staff," he said.

"It gives us street credibility. It is also good news for Bradford."