SOCIAL worker Shenaz Saeed was back at work today -- just days after sharing a joke with Tony Blair at one of Britain's most famous addresses.

The 39-year-old mother-of-two was invited to represent her colleagues at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council at the event last week.

Shenaz shook hands with the Prime Minister and stood at his side at 10 Downing Street before he made a speech about the value he places on social work and social care.

The event was part of a campaign to raise the profile of social workers in a bid to recruit more people to the profession.

Shenaz said: "I told him I worked at Blackburn with Darwen and he seemed interested in the work I was doing.

"When he was giving me an autograph for my son, he joked that he hoped it wasn't a blank cheque!"

Shenaz also had a chat about her work with Health Secretary Alan Milburn during the event, which was attended by about 100 social workers from across the country -- all from authorities the Government has highlighted as doing well or improving.

She added: "It really was a day to remember. My family are all really proud of me." During his address, Mr Blair, who has promised to hold similar events in the future, said: "Social workers throughout this country perform challenging and vital work every day. Yet they are the unsung heroes of the public services - their compassion and care for others is rarely recognised publicly.

"But it is their dedication to the profession that helps hundreds of thousands of individuals and families every year through difficult periods in their lives and I am delighted to have the opportunity to thank them for being a force for good in our country."

Shenaz grew up in Blackburn after her family moved to the town from East Africa. She was encouraged to embark on a career in social work during voluntary work at Blackburn Women's Centre, and is now employed within the Council's newly created Emergency Duty Team.