A NEIGHBOURHOOD champion in Burnley has been given a rare honour – by the people she serves day in, day out.

For more than 11 years, Alicia Foley has lobbied on behalf of the Stoops and Hargher Clough estates as a community worker.

And now the Calico community involvement advisor has earned the rare honour of being given honorary life membership of the Stoops and Hargher Clough Community Association as an employee.

Alicia, who lives in Duke Bar, said: “It is very special and it is nice to be recognised. But everything I do is as part of a team.”

She first became involved with the neighbourhood following the 2001 disturbances and arrived there wanting to make a difference to residents’ lives, first working with Groundwork before joining Calico.

“I like to see areas improving and don’t want neighbourhoods to think they have been abandoned. I get a lot out of working with families and seeing things changing,” she said.

Alicia, who works across a number of Burnley and Padiham estates in her role, was presented with her award by Coun Julie Cooper.

Chris Keene, association chairman, said: “We have occasionally made paid workers honorary life members of the association.

“But Alicia's appointment is unique, because all the other paid workers who have received this award have been directly employed at our community centre.”

Anthony Duerden, Calico’s chief executive, added: “It’s a pleasure to see that Alicia's great work has been recognised in the communities where she works.

“Alicia carries out a lot of fantastic work in our neighbourhoods.”