Local heroes to be honoured by royals

Gordon Simms Cooper, from Gomersal and Habiban Zaman from Dewsbury have been rewarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours with British Empire Medals for outstanding work in their fields.

Mr Cooper, who worked as a player, coach and manager with Dewsbury cricket clubs, and is now chairman of the Heavy Woolen Cricket league. He was awarded the medal for services to youth cricket.

He said: “When I got the letter I was completely staggered and could not believe it!

“I really did not expect this – it’s not every day you get a letter that says ‘with compliments of the queen’!”

Mrs Zaman has done community work with women for more than 25 years, and was awarded the medal for services to women in North Kirklees.

She said: “I feel honoured and incredibly humbled to receive this award.”