PUBLIC service workers in Blackburn were cock-a-hoop today after the town scooped three prestigious government awards.

Blackburn College, the Benefits Agency and two departments at the Blackburn Hospitals Trust have won the coveted Charter Mark.

Bosses from the three organisations were in London today to receive their accolades at a ceremony attended by John Major.

To gain the awards organisations had to display excellence in public service during a rigorous assessment involving staff at all levels.

The accident and emergency (casualty) department and the directorate of medicine won the awards for the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust.

In the casualty unit, 60 staff treat about 64,000 patients a year and 97 per cent of them are seen within five minutes of arrival. Recent improvements have included leaflets in braille, audio tapes, maps to help patients and relatives transfer between hospitals. First aid leaflets are also being developed.

Nurse manager Anne Asher said the Charter Mark recognised the genuine commitment of staff.

More than 24,000 full-time and part-time students go to Blackburn College.

Principal John Bolton said: "It is a tribute to all staff that we have been successful particularly since this is our first nomination."

A souvenir edition of the internal staff newspaper will celebrate the award.

Almost 300 staff work for the Blackburn and Accrington district of the Benefits Agency. New developments have included a local customer newsletter, an interpreter to give advice to ethnic minority groups and an independent panel to examine the handling of complaints.

The Burnley Health Trust learning disability service won a Charter Mark award for the second time.

Blackburn NHS Trust's radiology department and the Waves Water Fun Centre in Blackburn were also highly comm- ended.

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