THERE were New Years Honours celebrations behind bars today.

Two people working at New Hall Prison, Flockton, are celebrating.

The Rev Jane Clay is the chaplain at the womens and young offenders institution.

And Mrs Carol Gledhill works as a prison officer at the jail.

Both were among recipients of the MBE in the list, announced today.

The Rev Mrs Clay has been chaplain at New Hall for several years.

She is married to the Rev Geoff Clay, who was appointed Vicar of Marsden in the summer of 2003.

The couple had previously lived in Lupset, Wakefield.

They have a daughter, Rowan.

Mrs Gledhill has worked at the jail for several years.

* Civil servant Jacqueline Harris, who lives at Quarmby, receives an MBE.

Mrs Harris, 62, who is an administrative officer at Huddersfield Jobcentre Plus, was nominated for the honour by her bosses at Crown House, Southgate.

She said: "I intend to retire next summer and this comes as a very nice surprise."

Mrs Harris, who is married with two sons and seven grandchildren, has worked in the reception area at Crown House for the past 14 years, dealing with a variety of benefit claims.

During a 27-year career with the Department for Work and Pensions, she has also worked in Dewsbury and was a clerk for tribunal hearings dealing with claimant appeals.

She has also been treasurer of the employees' sports and social club.

* A tireless volunteer has been honoured by the Queen. Eric Martin, of Penn Drive, Liversedge, has been helping others since he left the Parachute Regiment in 1948.

He has held more than 20 different posts for 12 separate organisations including the Scouts, the Guides and the Royal British Legion.

Now Her Majesty has recognised his efforts and awarded him an MBE.

The 79-year-old said he was delighted to receive the award and was looking forward to meeting the Queen.

"I am sure it will be a great day and I am really pleased," he said.

"I did not start working with these organisations to get awards but it is wonderful to be recognised."

Before joining the forces Eric had been an accountant but decided life behind a desk was not for him.

When he left the Army he trained to be a social worker and later lectured on his chosen profession after studying teacher training at the University of Huddersfield.

He retired 20 years ago - but for Eric this just meant more work.

"I never really did retire because I just carried on volunteering," he said.

"I might start taking a step back now though."

* Dianne Thompson, who becomes a CBE, was named Business Woman of the Year, 2001.

Mirfield-born Mrs Thompson was chief executive at Camelot when Richard Branson's lottery bid was trounced.

She receives the award for services to business.

She holds an honorary professorship at the University of Huddersfield and has been a regular visitor to the town.

On her last visit, she recalled her own experiences of setting up an advertising agency in Manchester in the 1980s.

She said: "It can be very hard, lonely work.

"I only wish I'd had the backing of a Business Generator when I started my own business."

* Kieran Preston, director-general of West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, receives the OBE for his work promoting public transport.

During his 13 years in the post, Mr Preston has played a major role in developments including the Leeds "guided" busway scheme, the opening of new bus and rail stations and a doubling of passenger train journeys from rail stations in West Yorkshire.