• A Darwen resident has been presented with her MBE in a ceremony.

Vivien Bickham, 62, was awarded an MBE on the New Years Honours List in 2019 but has been unable to have a proper ceremony due to the pandemic.

She received the MBE for her services to victims of domestic and sexual abuse, after being inspired when her best friend Gillian who was 21 was attacked in 1980 by her partner, leaving her in a vegetative state.

Vivien said: "We had such laughs - we used to go out dancing every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.

"She met a guy who lived in Canada and she moved over there to be with him.

"She called me and told me that something didn't feel right.

"He later assaulted her and she was left in a vegetative state for over 20 years.

"She was still a daughter, a sister, a friend.

"I just felt like I had let her down."

Two years after her best friend was attacked she began volunteering with Victim Support while working for Women's Aid and Changing Lives in Blackburn where she gained expertise, respect and influence across the county.

Over the years she undertaken many courses and gained qualifications in all areas relating to domestic abuse.

In 2016, she took up a national post with Safelives where she had worked with professionals and victims as well as working with perpetrators of abuse to try and stop any future incidents.

She was formally presented with her award on Wednesday night (October 20) by the Rt Hon Lord Shuttleworth at Lancaster Castle.

Vivien added: "It's been very exciting to actually receive it and very humbling.

"I have always felt it is not just for me but for all the people that I have worked with over the years."

She has also been awarded an honorary doctorate of law from the University of Lancaster.