A WINSFORD police officer has been given an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list for her services to police.

Di Woodward has been recognised for her work within schools in Winsford trying to improve relationships between police and young people.

She said: "It's absolutely unbelievable and I can't really believe it.

"This all seems so surreal because there are so many people who work just as hard as me but don't get anything like this."

The 35-year-old has worked for Winsford Community Action Team (CAT) for 15 years and believes her work in the schools is starting to pay off.

She said: "I passionately believe that by working with young people from an early age we can really make a difference.

"I often see children waving to me on the street but they do it so that their parents can't see them do it.

"It is really pleasing for me that I can see people's perceptions of the police changing and that can only be a good thing."

Di lives with her husband Karl and four children Jasmin, 11, Ryan, nine, Ellie, seven and Maddie, four, and is looking forward to celebrating her achievement with them.

"They are all really pleased and I'm just over the moon about it.

"Being a mother myself I am very determined to work with children because they are the future and it is so important that they are given the best opportunities in life."

Di has also paid tribute to her colleague PC Tony Heaton who died in a motorcycle crash last week.

She said: "We are all absolutely devastated by this and what I have achieved has a bit of sadness for me as well because we are all thinking of his family at the moment."

Det Sgt Dave Snasdell, from Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "Di does an absolutely amazing job within schools in Winsford and her work is invaluable.

"This award is thoroughly deserved."