A MAN who lives in Ribble Valley has been named Guardian Public Servant of the Year.

Stephen Smith, who lives in Clitheroe, was voted as the winner by members of the public and was presented with the award at One Marylebone in Central London last month.

The Guardian Public Service awards celebrate the tireless work of innovative public servants and projects.

The award recognises the contribution he has made campaigning on issues that have affected people with a learning disability in Lancashire over the last 25 years.

Stephen is employed as a project worker for the REACT service, which commissioned by Lancashire County Council to give people with a learning disability a voice to help shape services locally and share their views about issues that are important to them.

He also sits on the Lancashire Learning Disability Partnership Board and has chaired and participated in many meetings over the years, both in Lancashire and across the north west.

This latest award follows Stephen winning the regional Derek Russell Outstanding Leadership Award earlier this year at the North West Regional Forum Conference in Blackpool.

Stephen said: "I have worked for over 25 years to make sure people with learning disabilities can have their voices heard.

“Winning this award is a dream come true for me and I am over the moon."

County Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "Congratulations to Stephen. This award shows that he's made a huge difference to the lives of people across the county and they have voted for him in their thousands."