The Queen has presented the founder of a Craven charity with an OBE to mark the contribution it makes in supporting the district’s growing number of carers.

Anne Smyth, who launched the Carers’ Resource almost 14 years ago, dedicated the honour to carers everywhere, praising the hard work they carry out in the face of relentless day-to-day pressures of looking after a loved one.

She said: “It was a very proud moment and a tremendous experience to learn of so many inspirational acts of service from across the UK as the honours were presented.

“We all know someone who acts as a carer for a family member or a friend.

“I want to share this honour with them as a reward for the massive contributions they make – and the sacrifices that run alongside – right at the very heart of the community.”

The Carers’ Resource, which has a base at Broughton Hall, has grown from humble beginnings to one of the largest and most successful carers’ centers in the country.

When it first opened its doors in 1995, the charity had just four staff working out of a single office in North Park Road, Harrogate.

Since then, it has helped nearly 20,000 young carers, parent carers, grandparent carers and adult carers.

It has expanded its range of specialist services to meet their changing needs, opened three additional bases in the heart of the communities it serves and grown to employ more than 90 staff and about 120 volunteers.

Its other offices are in Shipley and Ripon.