TWO local health workers have won awards.

Ian Rufus, who heads the pandemic flu scheme for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, and James Williams, assistant director of public health at Kirklees Primary Care Trust, were those honoured.

Both were awarded Diplomas in Health Emergency Planning at theRoyal Society in London.

The Diploma, which is awarded by the Health Protection Agency, is the first qualification of its kind in the UK to provide the knowledge and understanding necessary for emergency planners in the NHS to participate in the development, evaluation, and operation of emergency plans.

They were presented with their awards by Professor Pat Troop CBE, Chief Executive of the Health Protection Agency, and Dr Penny Bevan, Director of Emergency Preparedness at the Department of Health.