A WELL-known community figure has marked a special chapter in her career.

Elizabeth Binns has notched up 25 years working with Bury Council’s library service.

Five years ago, her work was recognised at the highest level when she was appointed MBE by Her Majesty the Queen.

Ms Binns is principal libraries and adult learning officer (social inclusion).

She is responsible for developing a service that helps combat social exclusion and promote library resources to vulnerable groups and individuals.

Before joining the council, Elizabeth worked as a nurse,.

At work, she has played a strong role in attracting external funding to improve library service provision for local communities — including the four recently launched Big Lottery Fund libraries and the nationally-recognised best practice library at Topping Fold.

Ms Binns was ordained in 2005 as a priest in the Church of England and is currently associate priest in the Parish of St John with St Mark, Bury.

She is also a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester.

But she still finds time to chair several inter-faith groups, be a member of the Bury Asian Women’s Centre Committee and a youth leader.

Ms Binns said: “I came to Bury for six weeks, never intending to stay.

“At the end of six weeks I had a job to go to but turned it down to stay at Bury. It’s a decision I have never regretted for a moment.

“I am so lucky to work with and for people who make me glad that I have to get up for work every day.

“Times in the council may be very difficult at the moment but I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a whole and especially in the library service.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to a management team who have always been so supportive and to my team who continue to amaze me with their skills, dedication and imagination.”