Royal honour for disaster workers

Mrs Ratcliffe helped survivors of the tsunami

A police officer who played a key role in the London bombings inquiry and a British woman who helped victims of the Asian tsunami have been honoured.

Prince Charles presented Det Supt John Prunty with the Queen's Police Medal for his work on the 7 July inquiry at Buckingham Palace.

Cynthia Ratcliffe received an MBE for services to disadvantaged children and survivors of the Asian tsunami.

About 200,000 people died in the tsunami and 52 in the July bombs.

Mrs Ratcliffe, known as Cindy, left the UK in 1969 and moved to Phuket in Thailand 13 years ago and is now president of Phuket International Women's Club.

They would send photos on email so I could look at some of the unidentified people. It was very difficult Cynthia Ratcliffe

She said: "I feel great. I was stunned in the beginning. I never expected to receive an award."

On Boxing Day 2004, she was on the beach when the tsunami struck but managed to escape and went on to help the injured and took part in the huge clean up.

The following month she used her knowledge of Portuguese, Dutch, French and Spanish to help tourists amid the confusion.

Searching hospitals

Recalling the traumatic task she said: "I had a mobile telephone that was charged up with quite a lot of money, so anybody who needed to phone home to let relatives know they were safe - I gave it to them.

"I received calls too. I was searching in hospitals, looking at the lists.

"They would send photos on email so I could look at some of the unidentified people. It was very difficult."

Det Supt Prunty joined the anti-terrorist branch after the 11 September attacks on the US.

After accepting the honour he said: "I feel privileged. It's very much a team effort. It's what I suppose we're all trained for."