A PUBLIC health director has been given a community group's annual achievement award.

Blackburn with Darwen's Professor Dominic Harrison has attributed his success to the collective efforts of everyone in the borough.

Charity One Voice Blackburn he will receive the John Roberts Outstanding Achievement Award at the annual 1V Awards in early October.

Judges at the Blackburn-based charity praised Prof Harrison for his 'outstanding contribution' to the town’s Covid-19 response, including the uptake of vaccinations in the most recent phase and work on reducing health inequalities in the borough.

The One Voice Awards are a celebration of people across the borough who have excelled as volunteers or in their particular field of work and be presented on the evening of the One Voice Annual Dinner in King George’s Hall on Saturday October 9.

Prof Harrison said: "There is no doubt that without the collective efforts of everyone from all of our local communities, we would have seen more deaths from Covid during the pandemic.

"I am very proud and honoured to have been the local Director of Public Health during this time, and I am very grateful to everyone at One Voice for this wonderful award."

One Voice chairman Abrar Hussain said: "The trustees and Chief Executive were unanimous in agreeing that Professor Harrison’s work during Covid-19 for the borough attributed to the saving of lives.

"His clear path during the pandemic was vital in lowering Covid-19 infection rates, and his advice and guidance has ensured that the uptake of vaccinations is going strong."