A TEACHER, a business leader and a mum who launched a charity for young people after the death of her son are among those recognised by the Queen.

Dorset residents have been recognised in the birthday honours list, established to honour the achievements and service of people from the UK.

Linda Thornton launched the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation with husband Pete nine years ago. The charity was named for son John, a Royal Marine who was killed in Afghanistan on March 30 2008.

Linda, who was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM), said: “I’m absolutely thrilled.

“It’s just fabulous. So many people are behind this and it’s for everyone involved.”

The Foundation supports young people from a range of youth organisations. Scholarships and bursaries are awarded to help youngsters achieve their dreams.

Linda said: "It's John's legacy.

"This award is for our trustees, our volunteers, for John - everybody who has been involved.

"It's fantastic. It means so much."

Janet Watson, deputy headteacher of Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne, was made an MBE in the list for services to education.

Mrs Watson has worked at the school for 41 years after taking on her first job as a PE teacher.

Since then, she has watched the children of former pupils work their way through the school.

"It is very humbling," she said.

“I’m just really proud to be part of the brilliant team here at QE.”

She thanked her husband Tony, who works as a teacher at Bournemouth Collegiate School.

"He's been absolutely brilliant, as have the rest of my family," she said.

"It's been the most rewarding career."

Wimborne resident Brian Leslie Russell Stannah, joint chairman of Stannah Lifts Holdings Ltd, was recognised for services to British manufacturing.

Eileen Wright, a volunteer for the Bournemouth Hospital charity, was awarded a BEM for services to healthcare and charity.

Lt Col Richard Harris East was awarded for services to charity and the community in Dorchester, and Dr Geoffrey Charles Hawtin of Weymouth was recognised for his services to global agrobiodiversity conservation, subsistence livelihood enhancement and sustainable food programmes.

Dr Hawtin is a former trustee of Kew Gardens.