Paul Blakey, the founder of faith-based Street Angels, travelled to the capital to receive a gong for his fight against street crime in his home town of Halifax.

He was one of three from Calderdale to receive MBEs yesterday. The other two were George Richardson, 71, and Colin Hartley, 66, for their services to education and the community.

After he picked up his award yesterday, Mr Blakey, 35, of West End, said: "The whole experience was absolutely fantastic.
"I shook the Queen's hand and she asked me why I was receiving the award.

"I told her a bit about Street Angels and she said it sounded fascinating and was much-needed."

Street Angels began in Halifax five years ago when Christian volunteers took to the streets on Friday and Saturday nights to help revellers get home safely. They have helped to slash violent crime at weekends by half and the project has since been taken up in 40 other towns across the UK and won praise from Gordon Brown.

Mr Blakey added: "It was fantastic to be recognised for such work and obviously I was receiving the MBE on behalf of all volunteers who go out on Friday and Saturday nights in Halifax and across the country."

George Richardson, of Rastrick, headed the governing body of Calderdale Council for nine years from 1997, during which time the skills centre and construction skills academy opened.

The former Labour councillor was also deputy chairman of education at the council.

Colin Hartley, of Southowram, has been involved with schools for nearly 40 years, joining the PTA at Whithinfields Primary School, Southowram, in 1971.

He was a member of the steering group that oversaw the amalgamation of Princess Mary and Highlands School to North Halifax Grammar School and is currently governors' vice-chairman.