A FORMER Blackburn cotton mill worker, Alan Counsell, has been awarded a lifetime achievement award for his services to the disabled community.

Alan, 63, was born in Blackburn and attended Audley Secondary Modern before starting work at Eli Heyworth's cotton mill.

Despite suffering from cerebral palsy, he has devoted his life to helping, supporting, teaching and advising disabled people and that work was rewarded when actress Jane Asher presented him with the Leonard Cheshire Lifetime Achievement Award at the Copthorn Tara Hotel in Kensington, London.

In the '60s he trained as a nurse, social worker and rehabilitation officer becoming a class teacher and housemaster at a residential school in Cambridgeshire.

He retired in 1990 and since then he has run his own consultancy business advising both public and private sector organisations on all aspects of disability.

Alan said: "I think it is a wonderful accolade and it has done wonders for my confidence. I am amazed that I was nominated because all I am trying to do it earn a living and pay my mortgage.

"My work is all about giving people with disabilities personal value and a feeling of personal worth so that when they go back to work the are feeling better about themselves and many of them end up getting promoted."

Sarah Bush, an employee of customs and excise who has a disability and was trained by Alan was one of the people who nominated him for the award. She said: "He is blisteringly intelligent and hugely compassionate.

"A man whose lifetime contribution to the disabled community cannot be over estimated."

She said he was the single most inspirational human being and the most gifted trainer she had ever met.

Alan will be at Accrington Road School, Blackburn, on Feburary 19 when he will present a talk to hospital volunteers.

The Leonard Cheshire charity organises the awards with sponsorship from the Bradford and Bingley.

They are nominated and judged solely by disabled people and are designed to help disabled people to fulfil their ambitions and recognise their potential. HONOUR: Alan Counsell (second left) receives the award from Jane Asher watched by Paul Amadi, head of fund raising at Leonard Cheshire and Mike Hildred, of Bradford and Bingley