June 19, 2001 10:00: BROMLEY'S finest have been honoured in the awards to mark Queen Elizabeth's birthday.

Bernard Tidbell, 60, of Edgeborough Way, Bromley, has been awarded an OBE for his 36 years working in the House of Commons.

Mr Tidbell, the supervisor of the vote in Parliament, said: "It was a great surprise when I heard. I was told to keep it a secret but now it is safe to let the news trickle out."

Mr Tidbell's only regret is that his wife Lucy, who died eight years ago, will not be at the ceremony.

"I'm sure she would have been very proud," he said.

Another OBE goes to Clifford Hardcastle, of Shortlands, honoured for his services to education.

Those receiving MBEs are Christine Cooper, of Orpington, rewarded for her work as a human resources administrator at the Department of Trade and Industry.

Bromley residents Brian Lee and Joan Payne have received awards for services to the community.

Jennifer Richardson, of Bromley, has earned an MBE for her work as an administrator for Whitbreads, while Shirley Strong, of Chislehurst, gets her MBE for work at the Society of Libyan Studies, in London.

Orpington man Richard Warren has been rewarded for his work as a geologist.