TWO Gwent residents picked up their medals at Buckingham Palace yesterday after being rewarded in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

The vice chairman of the Muslim Council of Wales, Doctor Abdalla Yassin Mohammed, 52, of Laurel Road, Bassaleg collected an OBE at yesterday's ceremony.

His work includes spreading awareness of Islam across the country and giving community classes to Arab speakers in Newport.

Professor Brian Duerden, 59 who lives in Welsh Street, Chepstow, picked up a CBE for his services to medicine and to charity.

Prof Duerden plays a leading role at the University of Wales, Cardiff, as the head of the department of medical microbiology.

He is well known for his research into healthcare associated infections (HIAs) such as the superbug MRSA.