CAROL Hendey is a woman with a mission.

For Blackburn's new neighbourhood watch officer aims to improve one of the biggest schemes in the county.

With 218 schemes in the borough already, Carol is looking forward to her new challenge. She said: "I will be looking to improve the number of neighbourhood watch programmes in the borough, particularly in areas that really need them.

Carol has already organised a forum for all neighbourhood watch co-ordinators at Blackburn library next month.

"It is important to get together to exchange ideas and problems," she said.

Born in Mellor Brook, Carol returns to work in her native Blackburn after spending most of her life in Preston. She has spent the past six years as a civilian worker for Preston Police and prior to that, worked for the Post Office for over 20 years.

She fills the post which has been vacant for the past 18 months after Maureen Britcliffe had to leave due to ill health.

Sergeant Alan Holt from Blackburn Crime Prevention said: "We welcome Carol to the team and we are sure she will carry on the good work Maureen did before she had to leave us.

"We hope that the community will get more out of their neighbourhood watch now that we have a been able to appoint a full time administrator."

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