Midlanders who battled to save lives and homes during 2007's disastrous summer floods have been recognised in today's honours.

Nina Dawes, chief executive of Lichfield District Council is made an OBE for services to local government and flood rescue in Staffordshire. Also receiving similar honours for services to flood rescue are Paul Jones, a National Grid gas engineer from Hereford, and Lawrence Wall, a delivery centre manager for energy firm E.ON in Gloucester.

Ms Dawes, who has been chief executive of Lichfield Council for the past seven years, said she was "thrilled" at the recognition. She said: "The news has just taken my breath away, I can't believe I have been recognised.

"A lot of people work in local government because they want to make a difference and put something back into the community and I feel I am accepting this award for them."

During the summer floods, Ms Dawes headed Lichfield's Operation Helping Hand which supported residents battling the rising flood waters. The area was submerged by floodwater for 40 days over the summer after six rivers burst their banks.

Operation Helping Hand aimed to distribute up-to-date information about the floods and the state of drinking water, as well as co-ordinating the clean-up.

This included emergency repairs to the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas when 15 inches of floodwater tore through the site just days before National Veterans' Day.

Ms Dawes, who has worked in local government for 26 years, said: "When lives and safety are threatened, it is amazing how people will step up to the plate and help. I feel very humble to have lead such a team.

"I saw so many acts of kindness and generosity."

Between 30 to 40 agencies worked around the clock to provide advice and support, Ms Dawes said. "There were 250 homes effected by the floods, but there could have been many more if not for the quick response of the team."

Born in Darlaston when it was part of Staffordshire, Ms Dawes has worked for Lichfield Council for 10 years. Prior to this she worked for Birmingham's Focus Housing Association and for Walsall Council.

Ms Dawes stressed that although the floodwater had subsided there was still clear-up work that needed to be done. She said: "There are still people who can not live in their homes and we are trying to help. We are also co-ordinating engineering works to make sure we are better prepared if this happens again."