A FORMER alcoholic who turned her life around and set up treatment centres which have transformed the lives of thousands of people has been awarded an MBE.

Noreen Oliver, who founded the O'Connor Centre, in Clayton, was named in the Queen's New Year's Honours list today.

Others singled out for their contribution to society include Mike Poulter, chairman of Staffordshire Police Authority, international trade expert David Houghton, of Uttoxeter, and Derek Foster, of Stafford, who runs Action Training, in Longton.

When, aged 31, Mrs Oliver found herself being given the last rites in hospital for liver failure, she vowed to make a change.

Now aged 48, she set up the Burton Addiction Centre, in Burton-on-Trent, and in 2002 the O'Connor Centre, in Newcastle, to help rehabilitate people with drink and drug problems.

The O'Connor Centre relocated to Clayton in November.

Mrs Oliver, who received her award for services to disadvantaged people in Staffordshire, said: "I'd just got back from Berlin for the England v Germany match when I found out.

"They'd sent it to my home and I thought, 'why on earth is the Cabinet writing to me here?' If I'd got it at work I wouldn't have been surprised.

"Then when I opened it I thought, 'oh my God, is this really happening?'

"That was at the beginning of November and, of course, they say you have to keep it in the strictest confidence, so since then I've just been wanting New Year's Eve to hurry up and come. I felt like I wanted to dance on the roof and tell everyone."

Mrs Oliver, who lives in Nottingham, added: "I'm really quite shocked and absolutely humbled. I think it's fantastic because it proves that drug and alcohol treatment is making a difference.

"I couldn't have done it without my team and without our partners in Staffordshire, such as the primary care trust, the police and social services.

"It's a nice ending to what's been quite a turbulent year. It will be lovely to go and receive it. I've been for a private lunch with the Queen where I was sitting next to Prince Philip, and when I came out I was covered in bruises from pinching myself."

Police authority chairman Mike Poulter also received an MBE, for services to the community.

He said: "I think it reflects the team work of all the members of the police authority and the force. It's also come partly from people I've worked with on the county council, so I think it's a celebration of everyone who's been working for the good of the community in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent."

David Houghton, regional director for Global Transaction Services at Royal Bank Of Scotland, was awarded an MBE for services to business and international trade in the West Midlands.

Mr Houghton, aged 47, of Uttoxeter, who also sits on the board of the Midlands World Trade Forum, said: "I didn't expect it at all; it was completely out of the blue."

Also honoured was Derek Foster, who runs Action Training at Park Hall Business Village, Longton. Mr Foster, from Stafford, received an MBE for services to lifelong learning in Staffordshire.

The centre provides a range of courses including forklift truck driving, basic maths and English, IT and vocational skills, and has helped to improve the skills of thousands of people.

Lee Pearson among sporting stars honoured: Page 34