DECADES of hard work and dedication have earned two Harrovians MBEs in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Sheila Harvey, of Norman Crescent, Pinner, and Edna Knight, of Locket Road, Harrow Weald, are among a select band of people across the country to be recommended for the accolade - handed out just twice a year.

Mrs Harvey has been recognised for more than 30 years of work for the Landscape Institute while Edna - she prefers to be called by her Christian name - receives the award for her voluntary work with people and families affected by chromosome disorders.

The announcement was formally made on Saturday, but the pair have known about the award for just over a month.

Mother-of-four Edna Knight, who did not wish to give her age, was delighted when she heard the news, but found it hard to keep it to herself.

She said: "I found out in May but was told not to tell anyone about it which was incredibly difficult.

"I just couldn't believe it, there are so many people that I feel are more worthy of this than me so it was a big shock.

"I even had to go out and buy the papers on the day of the official announcement to make sure it was true."

Edna was recognised for nearly 25 years of work with charity Unique, which she founded in the early 80s.

Having had two children with chromosome diseases herself she set up the company to help families in similar positions.

It started with just a support group of five families run from her living and has since grown to help more than 6,000 families.

Similar hard work and time has been put in by 69-year-old Mrs Harvey, who said: "When I received the letter I have to say I was absolutely stunned. I had no idea and it was of course a lovely surprise.

"I'm very lucky to have been in an industry which was fascinating, where

I was surrounded by a lot of brilliant people. So to be honoured in this way is incredible."

Originally from neighbouring Wembley, Mrs Harvey trained as a librarian at the North West Polytechnic College in London after she finished school.

Some years later she got a job as a librarian at the Landscape Institute and worked there on and off for 30 years before retiring two years ago.

While she was there, she helped to establish an archive in the library, edited a number of text books, and in 2003 she was awarded the Ken Fieldhouse Memorial Medal for services in promoting landscape architecture.