Four Bahraini women have been awarded the Order of Merit of the First Class by Sheikha Sabika Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at a colourful ceremony held at Al Rawdha Palace, the Bahraini News Agency (BNA), said.

Salwa Al Umran, Sheikha Haya Al Khalifa, Dr Sheikha Al Urayyed and Huma Aseeri were awarded the medals "in appreciation of their contribution to the development of Bahrain," BNA added. The awards were instituted by a royal decree.

Salwa Al Umran, who was honoured for her charity work, said the award "symbolises a thank you the government has extended to all Bahraini women for the long years of serving the country."

Salwa is a pioneer of volunteer work. She has set up a number of nurseries including the pre-school of the Children and Mothers Welfare Society. She has also set up the Hope Institute for Disabled children and the Bahrain University Student Charity Fund.

Sheikha Haya was awarded for her contributions to developing Bahrain's archaeology and history through her post as the Assistant Undersecretary for Culture and National Heritage in the 1980s.

"I took up archaeology as a hobby and I was intrigued. I took time and effort when I used to work there to preserve the sites and promote Bahrain's history," she said.

"This award came as a surprise. However the aw-ard is an opportunity for women to excel in what they do." She is a founder of the Bahrain National Museum and has supervised the renovation of many historical and archaeological sites.

She has also written a number of books and research on Dilmun civilisations and Bahrain's history.

Dr Sheikha Al Arrayed, meanwhile, was presented the award for her contributions to the medical sector.

The fourth recipient of the award, Huma Aseeri, an engineer, was honoured for her contributions to the industrial sector. She is responsible for the infrastructure of the $1.7 billion expansion of Aluminum Bahrain (Alba).