THREE South Cumbrians have been named among the recipients of this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.

Doreen Anne Hall, known as Anne, from Coniston, received an MBE for services to the community in the Lake District.

Professor Susan Mary Braye from Sedbergh, who teaches at the University of Sussex, was awarded an OBE for services to vulnerable people. And an MBE was awarded to Barry Leahy, managing director of Playdale Playgrounds at Haverthwaite.

Cllr Hall, who was born in Coniston, has worked in the community all her life, including running the village newsagents for 23 years and serving on the parish council for more than 30.

Her contributions range from social care for the elderly to chairing the Ruskin Museum and Institute Trust. She helped the village win the first ever Daily Telegraph 'Village of the Year' award in 1997.

Passionate about promoting affordable housing, Mrs Hall is a Trustee of Lakeland Housing Trust, which rents 37 houses to local young families on low incomes. She also started the parish plan team, which looks into the needs of young people and low income groups in Coniston.

In 2014, Mrs Hall, who represents Coniston and Crake Valley on South Lakeland District Council, was part of a group that worked with the House of Lords to produce the report 'Affordable Housing - A Fair Deal for Rural Communities'.

On receiving her award, Mrs Hall said: "I am naturally very thrilled. A lot of people asked why it took so long!

"I have been interested in the communities around me for so long, and this is recognition of that.

"I won't change as a result of this. I will still be out sweeping streets and picking up other people's litter.

"I want to make sure communities are here in the Lake District; that it is not just second homes."

Barry Leahy began working for Playdale in 2004 as sales and marketing director and progressed more recently to managing director in 2015.

Mr Leahy has been the driving force behind Playdale’s growth strategy and has successfully formed distribution agreements in 46 countries in less than seven years.

"I did not expect this at all," said Mr Leahy. "It was an emotional moment.

"Passion and perseverance got me here, and I will continue to be passionate and continue to persevere.

"Receiving an MBE will be one of my greatest achievements and I could not have done it without the support of my team at Playdale and my family.

"I feel incredibly proud to receive this award and it makes all of the hours spent in airports and aeroplanes worth it!"

Professor Susan Braye, from Sedbergh, teaches at the Univeristy of Sussex.

She was included in the honours list for for services to vulnerable people.

The Gazette was unable to contact her.