A WOMAN who is spearheading the national launch of Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) projects has been awarded the MBE.

Mrs Charlotte Ann Piper, of Horncastle Close, Brandlesholme, Bury, has received the honour for services to pensions, just months before she is due to retire.

The 60-year-old has worked within the pension service for the past 28 years. Today, she is the DWP's national business products manager in charge of systems notification.

Mrs Piper, a mother of three children, is based at Preston but travels throughout the north west and beyond in her job.

She started her career working at the Social Security office in Bury in 1976 when she moved to the town. On her current duties, Mrs Piper said: "The project I'm involved with now is the new pension credit and I'm in charge of the team which is developing all the customer material.

"I am due to retire this year after the finish of the project in October."

Before she was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, Mrs Piper had received an invitation to attend a summer garden at Buckingham Palace.

She said: "A month or so ago, I received a letter from the Prime Minister's office which indicated I was being nominated for an award. I thought the letter was about the garden party.

"It came as a great shock to me. I regard the MBE as a reward to myself and all the other people who have been involved in the project as a whole."