The chief executive of a college group has been awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Principal and chief executive of Nelson and Colne college group, Amanda Melton, was given the honour for her services to Further Education.

Ms Melton, said: “I’ve had the complete privilege to work in FE colleges for 26 years and counting.

"I can’t think of a sector which makes a greater difference for people, places and skills.

"I owe this honour directly to the roles I’ve had but most importantly the College of the Future Commission.

"My biggest fan, my lovely dad, died three years ago.

"He’d have been completely blown away that his little girl was honoured in this way.

"Thanks to my family and colleagues at Nelson and Colne College Group for giving me the opportunity to get involved in highlighting our transformational sector as part of a wider education ecosystem."

Ms Melton was appointed principal and chief executive of Nelson and Colne College in March 2012.

Since her arrival, the college has expanded to include Lancashire Adult Learning, and in 2018 merged with Accrington and Rossendale College to form Nelson and Colne College Group.

In 2013, she led the creation of the Pendle Education Trust, a multi-academy trust initially set up to address the particular needs of poor-performing schools.

The Trust is currently responsible for five academies, of which three have already improved by two Ofsted grades since transferring to the Trust.

Ms Melton is also a director at the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership, chair of the Lancashire LEP Skills Advisory Panel and has been appointed as a national leader in Further Education.