A SOCIAL worker paid a visit of a different kind last night, going to one of the country's most famous addresses.

Shanez Saeed, a mother-of-two, attended a function for social workers held by Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street.

Shanez was one of around 100 social workers picked from councils with successful social services departments.

Prime Minister Tony Blair used the get-together to launch a new recruitment drive for social workers.

He told them that he felt that many people did not fully understand the important role social workers played and as such they often went under valued.

Since Blackburn with Darwen became a unitary authority in 1998, council bosses have worked hard to turn their social services department around.

Last year it was named one of the 20 most improving authorities by the government after making improvements to its pensioner, child and deprived areas provision.

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman said they had been asked to pick somebody to attend the event and Shanez had been selected by her colleagues.