A Iranian woman living in Oxfordshire has been awarded an OBE for her work among the women of Iraq.

Mandana Hendessi, of Brook Street, Benson, was honoured by the Government and the Queen in a special list of those who had served in Iraq.

Ms Hendessi, a social development consultant, worked for the Government's Department of International Development in Baghdad for six months.

Ms Hendessi said: "In Saddam Hussein's regime there was really no civil society as such. With the collapse of that regime I was asked to help people build up their own civil society organisations, voluntary bodies, charities and so on. I was there to help, not to impose our ideas on the Iraqis.

"I am delighted with the award of the OBE but it was more important to be in Iraq at this problematical time to help the people through this time of transition."

Ms Hendessi praised the work of British troops in Iraq. She said the British did their best to make contact and build bridges with local people.