FIFTY years after he arrived in Britain, Abdul Rehman, 73, is the proud recipient of an MBE.

Derby's first Muslim councillor and mayor is justifiably delighted with his award for "services to the community in Derby".

For the past 43 years in the city, service has been a way of life for Mr Rehman, who has forged strong relationships with people from many different communities and also served 27 years as a Derby Corporation bus driver.

Mr Rehman, who lives in Pear Tree, said: "I was lucky to be born into an educated and politically-aware family in Pakistan and this proved useful when I came to Derby.

"Many people sought me out to speak up for them and to help them with forms and documents because their English was poor.

"I first became a Labour councillor in 1990 and served for 16 years, during which time I was mayor from 1998 to 1999."

Between 1994 and 1996, Mr Rehman was adviser to the Guru Ravidoss Community Centre for Sikhs and he spent many years as a governor of Pear Tree infant and junior schools.

"I was a founder member and chairman of the Jamia Mosque and also of the Pakistan Community Centre," said Mr Rehman.

"But I was still surprised to receive the letter informing me of the MBE and thought at first it wasn't true. But I am very pleased that someone put my name forward."

Retired Brian Ibell admits he was "lost for words" when he heard he was to receive an MBE in the honours list, for services to healthcare.

The former assistant chief executive of Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was primarily responsible for overseeing the planning and building of the city's new £400m Royal Derby Hospital, which opened earlier this year.

Mr Ibell, who lives in Nottinghamshire, said: "It took 11 years for the hospital to come to fruition and was the highlight of my 40-year NHS career.

"I started out as an electrical engineer, studied for a degree and an MBA qualification and rose through the ranks to become a trust board member.

"I have always been lucky to have talented people around me and also bosses who trusted me to see this project through."

Another surprised recipient of an MBE – for services to the community in Foston and Scropton– is parish councillor and churchwarden Gordon Thornhill, of Hatton.

Mr Thornhill, who originally came from Radbourne and Mickleover, has devoted more than 60 years to his adopted village – 45 of them as a parish councillor.

He has also been a governor at Heath Fields School in Hatton for 34 years and is a member of the independent board appointed by the Ministry of Justice to monitor conditions at Foston Hall prison.

Former teacher Mr Thornhill said his MBE was really "for all small parishes across the country".

He said: "So many people are busy and not being paid, helping their local communities and this is for them."

"I still can't really believe this honour is coming to me."

Equally modest is Dr Tom Hyde, who, at 81 today, is holding a double celebration after also being awarded an MBE.

Mr Hyde, who has a doctorate in bio-engineering, originated from Lancashire but moved to work for Bass in Burton in 1968.

He next moved to Repton, where he has been serving the community ever since.

Mr Hyde has been chairman of both the village's branch of the Royal British Legion and South Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch.

He has also been very involved in two fund-raising appeals for St Wystan's Church in Repton which have so far gathered over £300,000.

He said: "I have been a member of the committee on both occasions and see myself as just a small part of the campaign – a cog in a big wheel.

"This honour has come out of the blue but is nonetheless very welcome."

Another MBE recipient is Carol Downes, a divisional officer with Derbyshire Special Constabulary, who receives her award for voluntary service to the police.

Mrs Downes started as a special constable 30 years ago in Chesterfield and regularly patrolled the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights.

She also spent 10 years at force headquarters in Ripley and as a divisional officer in Derby.

At the same time, Mrs Downes, 54, managed to hold down a full-time job with the Health and Safety Executive, meet her husband, have five children and is about to welcome her 10th grandchild into the family today.

She said: "I always wanted to give something back to the community and being a special constable helped me do that.

"But I never expected any honour or award for doing it, although I am delighted to receive it."

Grandmother and mother-of-three Sheila Eaglesfield, of Swadlincote, also receives an MBE for her charitable services in Derbyshire.

She has raised thousands of pounds for good causes by selling her hand-made products at a stall at the Swadlincote Catholic Club in Darklands Road.

Emma Harrison, co-owner of Thornbridge Hall, near Bakewell, is given a CBE for her services to unemployed people and the voluntary sector.

Mrs Harrison, who is chairman of A4E (Action for Employment) joined her father's small industrial training business at age 23 and it went from strength to strength.

In 1991, she founded A4e Ltd to deliver social change on behalf of the government.

Managing £300m of government contracts, A4e now employs 1,500 staff in offices nationwide and Emma anticipates the organisation will more than double in size over the next two years.

She was appointed as the chairman of regions of the NSPCC Full Stop Campaign and donated more than £1m to the charity.