IT was a proud moment for a number people in the Vale Royal area on Saturday when the Queen announced her Birthday Honours List.

John Roberts, 58, from Frodsham, who is chief executive of Warrington-based United Utilities, received a CBE for his services to the utility sector while Phil Redmond, television producer and scriptwriter, also received a CBE for services to drama.

Christine Pickthall, from Northwich, who is chairman of Cheshire Disabilities Federation, has received an MBE for services to disabled people in Cheshire and Marilyn Raine, from Cuddington, who is headteacher at a Welsh school, has received an OBE for services to education.

Mr Roberts has spent his career in the management of utility companies, beginning his working life with a scholarship to study electrical engineering at the Mersey and North Wales Electricity Board (Manweb), before going to Liverpool University and returning to Manweb as an engineering trainee.

He rose through the ranks to become chief executive in 1992 before moving to become the chief executive of Hyder Utilities in 1997.

He then spent time as a consultant within the same sector before joining United Utilities in September 1999.

John said: "I am very pleased personally but I also believe that this honour reflects everything that United Utilities has achieved."

Phil Redmond, 56, trained as a quantity surveyor but quit to work in television and founded Mersey Television in 1981 to produce his own work.

The Liverpudlian, who lives near Frodsham, is the mastermind behind programmes such as children's television drama Grange Hill and Channel 4's Brookside and Hollyoaks.

He said receiving the award was 'pretty cool'.

Phil is also the executive producer of Hollyoaks Productions Limited and is an honorary professor of media studies at Liverpool John Moores University.

He is known for his outlandish plots but also dealing with social issues such as adult literacy in his productions.

Christine Pickthall set up Vale Royal Disabilities Service in the Northwich area in 1991 and the following year disability services from across the region came together under the umbrella of Cheshire Disabilities Federation.

She said: "I'm very proud and honoured.

"From humble beginnings, we have gone along and achieved success through hard work and perseverance."

Tracey Quormby, service manager at Cheshire Disabilities Federation, said: "No-one deserves this award more. We are very proud of her."

Marilyn Raine is headteacher at Ysgol Dinas Bran school in Llangollen and in the past has worked in many grammar and comprehensive schools and colleges.

She has put in a huge amount of time and effort into education and was a judge at the Welsh teaching awards held in Cardiff's Millenium Stadium last week.

Marilyn, who is originally from the north east, said: "It is a lovely surprise. I received a letter informing me of it a few weeks ago and now I'm waiting to go to Buckingham Palace.

"I have worked with wonderful teachers and students. I just feel so privileged and lucky to be a teacher - it is a wonderful profession.

"It is such an honour to receive this award and I feel very fortunate to have been given it."