AN Asian community leader and businessman has been awarded one of the country's most coveted honours and a seat in the House of Lords.

Adam Patel is one of only six new Life Peers in the honours list - along with famous names including Sir Leon Brittan and BBC boss Sir John Birt. And he said he can't wait to take his seat in his new role as Lord Patel of Blackburn.

A headteacher, magistrate, test pilot and fingerprint expert are among the other people to receive awards in the county.

Father-of-eight Mr Patel, 59, of Snodworth Hall, Langho, today said he was "very honoured".

"It isn't just good news for me, it is good for the town of Blackburn."

Mr Patel was born in India and studied business management and accountancy there. He came to Blackburn in 1965 and worked as an accountant at Ivan Jacques' practice.

He later became managing director of Comet Cash and Carry, which he still runs.

He is a founder member of the Blackburn with Darwen Racial Equality Council and a founder chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques.

Malcolm Blackburn, long-serving magistrate and former deputy head of St Wilfrid's High School, Blackburn, becomes an MBE for services to Clitheroe.

Mr Blackburn, who lives with his wife Judith in Buccleuch Avenue, has been a magistrate for more than 18 years.

Mr Blackburn has also been a long-standing lay reader and Sunday school teacher at St James Church. A father of three, Mr Blackburn fostered two children and has three grandchildren. He is chairman of the board of governors at St James Primary School where he is a long-standing member of the board.

He is also involved with Clitheroe Cricket Club where he has been a member for more than 50 years, was formerly captain and responsible for the junior sides.

Barbara Booth, headteacher of Shadsworth County Infant School, Blackburn, has been made an MBE for her services to education.

Mrs Booth, who has been at the helm of the school for more than five years, lives in Colne.

Former auxiliary nurse Mrs Amrit Kaur becomes an MBE for services to community relations.

Mrs Kaur, 62, of St Michael's Close, Feniscowles, who retired from Queens Park Hospital two years ago, is vice-chairman of the Asian Women's Forum, works as a volunteer at Mill Hill Centre and Age Concern. She is also a prominent member of the Sikh community.

Richard Budd, a surveyor for Customs & Excise in Blackburn, also becomes an MBE.

Former QEGS pupil Jeffrey Vent has been awarded the OBE after a lifetime's work in education.

Mr Vent, 74, taught French and Spanish at King Henry XIII school in Coventry for 50 years after graduating from Oriel College, Oxford and attending QEGS between 1936 and 1944.

The founder of the Samaritans The Rev Prebendary Chad Varah CBE - a former Blackburn clergyman - receives the Order of the Companion of Honour.

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