A SPECIAL needs co-ordinator from Burnley has been named as one of the public servants of the year.

Carole Wolstenholme, who works for Lancashire County Council, scooped the Social Inclusion Award, sponsored by UNISON at this year's Public Servants of the Year Awards.

Carole was commended for her enthusiasm and commitment in helping to launch a learning project that benefits hundreds of children across the county and establishing 15 multi-media resource centres specifically for people with special needs.

The announcement was made at a ceremony in London.

Alongside her daily role as a librarian, Carole successfully developed new skills of her own to establish a website, implement a reader development programme, secure relationships with Mencap and social services, and help to raise nearly a quarter of a million pounds in funding.

Rabbi Julia Neuberger, chair of the judging panel and chief executive of the King's Fund, said: "These are challenging times for the public sector. We are all consumers of public services in one way or another and place increasing demands on our public servants to deliver better and better results, often with fewer resources or less time in which to achieve them.

"Against this background, an astonishing number continue to commit themselves above and beyond the call of duty -- to achieve outstanding results and change lives.

"Judging these awards again has been an inspiring task and I would like to congratulate all those who took part. These awards are an opportunity to celebrate their success."