A FORMER head of children s services at Blackburn with Darwen Council has been honoured with an OBE. Linda Clegg, who is now chair of the St Helens Children s Improvement Board and a Department of Education improvement partner, received the award as part of the Queen s New Year Honours list. The award was given thanks to Ms Clegg s years of dedication to children s services in both Blackburn with Darwen and St Helens which has made a real difference to the lives of children and their families across both boroughs. For Blackburn with Darwen Council chief executive Harry Catherall who worked closely with Ms Clegg, said: “I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Linda at Blackburn with Darwen Council and more recently at St Helen’s Council. Children’s social care is a very demanding.