A FORMER council leader has been thanked by Tony and Cherie Blair for her services to the NHS.

Kath Reade, chairman of Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority, was invited to a reception at 10 Downing Street in recognition of her service.

The former leader of Burnley Council was thanked by the Blairs and by John Reid, Secretary of State for Health.

Kath said: "I would like to pass on the thanks of the Prime Minister to all our NHS staff in Cumbria and Lancashire. I am very proud of their achievements."

As chairman of the merger committee of the former health authorities in Cumbria and Lancashire, Kath helped set up the new Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority, and became its first chairman when it was formed in April 2002.

She also served as a councillor in Burnley for fourteen years until 2000.

As a board member of Burnley NHS Healthcare Trust, Kath helped pioneer the first summer play scheme for children of NHS employees. She also established and chaired Burnley's Domestic Violence Multi-Agency Forum, developing a range of services including a purpose-built women's refuge.

Kath has been a board member of the North West Development Agency since it began four years ago.

She is also the founder of the regional women's business network for the North West of England, which now has a co-ordinator and support staff, and over 1000 affiliated groups.

She also represented the national Local Government Association on the McPherson Inquiry into institutionalised racism in the wake of the Stephen Lawrence murder.

In what spare time she finds she is a singer-songwriter and has recently produced a CD of her own music, called "Kingfisher Blue".