Betty Middleton, founder of the Middleton Singers and the Middleton Festival Choir, has been awarded the MBE for services to music.

The 84-year-old teacher and choir conductor is presently busy rehearsing with two of her pupils, who are entering the Saltburn Festival.

Betty moved to Middles-brough from Hull in 1952 and later settled in Saltburn. Many of her pupils have become professional singers or teachers.