A FORMER school governor has received a gold star in the 'people's honours'.

Mrs Joan Banks was awarded the MBE for service for young people in Accrington. Joan, 66, of Queens Road, Accrington, clocked up 30 years as a school governor and has been involved in raising cash for research into children's illnesses.

She served as a governor at St Nicholas CE Primary School, Church, for 26 years until retiring last year and continues to serve as clerk to the governors at the school, a position she has held for 13 years.

Her previous governor's post was at St Andrews CE Primary School, Accrington, where she served for four years up until its closure.

She said: "The news was a bolt from the blue. I heard about it in November but have had to keep it a secret.

"I announced it to my family at our Christmas party. I feel quite overwhelmed by the whole thing and never expected to be put forward for such an honour."

For 17 years, Joan has been chairman of the Accrington branch of the Children's Research Fund which raises cash for research into children's illnesses. She has been involved in the charity for around 30 years.

She taught English at Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle, for 27 years and was head of the school's second year. She took early retirement eight years ago.

Her 64-year-old husband, Keith, is a warden at Blackburn Cathedral. The couple have two sons, Peter, 36, and Ian, 33, and three young grandsons.

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