A GROUP of ambulance workers have received the Queen's Award for their exemplary service.

The Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr John Lyles, paid tribute to the workers for their dedication to duty during a special ceremony at the county ambulance service headquarters in Birkenshaw.

Angela Skelton, 48, of Newsome, started work in November 1978 on accident and emergency services.

She spent almost 20 years in that section, including a period at the Honley station.

She transferred to patient transport services in 1998 and for the past four years has worked in Huddersfield as an operational supervisor.

She said: "The colleagues I've worked with - past and present - have been wonderful.

"This job has given me the opportunity to meet some fantastic people."

Ann Horn, of Mirfield, 38, who is based at Brighouse, completed 20 years' exemplary service, with seven spent on the front line in accident and emergency work, where she began after joining the service in October 1981.

She transferred to patient transport services in 1988 and spent time at both Gildersome and Dewsbury ambulance stations.

She was accompanied to the presentation by her parents, David and Valerie Parkinson, and partner Mark Beaumont.

Following the ceremony she said: "I've always found my work challenging, but extremely rewarding."

Wyn Foulds, of Halifax, received the award on behalf of her husband, Donald, who died in August last year, aged 59. He had worked for the ambulance service for 22 years.

Mr Foulds joined in July 1980, at Huddersfield ambulance station.

He spent the next eight years with accident and emergency services, transferring to patient transport in Halifax until illness in 2002.