Female boxing champion made MBE

Couch is the current WIBF and WBF champion

Champion boxer Jane Couch has been made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

The 38-year-old, who was born in Fleetwood, Lancashire, moved to Bristol to train.

She burst on to the world boxing scene on 31 May 1996 when she outpointed French kickboxing star Sandra Geiger to win the WIBF Welterweight title.

The current WIBF and WBF champion, known as The Fleetwood Assassin, said her ambition is to be known as the greatest woman fighter ever.

She has only been allowed to fight in the UK since March 1998 when she won a sexual discrimination claim against the British Boxing Board of Control.

The boxer said news of receiving the MBE had yet to sink in.

"I've been all over the world boxing in some of the biggest shows in front of millions of people and this is the biggest shock ever," she added.

On Sunday, Couch sets off for Connecticut, in the US, where she hopes to win her sixth world championship belt on Wednesday.

Other people honoured in Bristol include:

Professor Mervyn Murch, Professor of law at Cardiff Law School, is made CBE for services to the family justice system

An MBE for Raymond Hulbert, of Horfield, for services to the community in Bristol

Eurof Lewis is made MBE for services to administration of justice in the city

Ann Tolani, of Knowle, is made MBE for services to youth justice in Bristol

An MBE for Stephen Wotton, of Langford, for services to animal welfare