A LOCAL ‘hero’ has been handed a top honour by the Queen for her work in the community.

Patricia Allen, of Kendal, travelled to London yesterday where she has given an MBE by the Queen after being named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Pat, who is the chairperson of Kendal-based Oaklea Trust and has been a representative of Westmorland Mencap Society for 40 years, became involved in volunteer work when she moved to the town in the 1960s.

Pat, whose daughter has severe learning difficulties, was given the award for her work by disabled after she launched a campaign for facilities and for more understanding of people with learning disabilities.

Pat was involved in raising funds to build and to continue to support Sandgate Hydrotherapy Pool in Kendal and was also part of the team which fund-raised to establish a pre school development service for babies and young children with learning disabilities - which has now been continued by Cumbria County Council Education Department.

Among the more famous names getting gongs in this year’s list were fashion designer Jeff Banks, who received an MBE, TV chef Delia Smith and legendary hairdresser Vidal Sassoon, who have both been awarded a CBE.