A WHITEFIELD woman who was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to her local community is to be further honoured with the Freedom of the Borough.

Yvonne Moore is one of three people who will receive their scrolls and medallions at a special meeting of the full council next Wednesday (June 24).

The others are Lieutenant Colonel Eric Davidson, who organises the annual Poppy Appeal and Gallipoli and Remembrance Sunday ceremonies, and sports coach Mick Jelley for his longstanding work with Bury Amateur Boxing Club, and who trained Amir Khan as a youngster.

Honorary Freedom is the highest civic honour that can be bestowed by the council. Among those who have been awarded the honour in recent years are the Oscar-winning film director Danny Boyle and the band Elbow.

Mrs Moore's honour is in recognition of her tireless work on behalf of Bury residents. These include the establishment of a Home Watch scheme; the founding of the Old Hall Park Residents Association; chairing the Bury Metropolitan Community Twinning Association and promoting positive relations between Bury and its twin towns. The accolade also recognises her continuing support and fundraising efforts on behalf of local charities.

She was recognised in the Queen's New Years Honours list in 2014 and awarded the BEM.

After suffering from breast cancer 13 years ago, she has worked tirelessly in a variety of community projects, and was made Bury Woman of the year in 2009. Mrs Moore founded Old Hall Park Residents Association 11 years ago. She has been a member of Whitefield local area partnership, a judge for the Elms in Bloom gardening competition and honorary secretary of Bury Metro Community Twinning Association.

She is a former teacher and moved to Whitefield from Wales in 1965. A keen gardener, Mrs Moore has also opened her garden to the community over a number of years for a garden party, and helped to raise more than £16,000 for local charities.

In addition she was honoured at the first Made in Bury community awards, where together with her husband David, they won the "outstanding contribution to a township" award.

Councillor Stella Smith, the Mayor of Bury, said: “All three have a long record of outstanding work in the community. They have been a real asset to Bury and make a big difference to people’s lives, and we are delighted to give them this honour in recognition of their effort and dedication.”

The ceremony will be streamed live by Digital Tree Media from 7pm at http://new.digitaltreemedia.co.uk/burycouncil/