A Streatham Hill bookworm has been given an MBE for her work with libraries.

Former librarian Dorothy Jane Allen, 60, from Kirkstall Road, was named on the Queen’s birthday honours for services to local government in south west London.

From 1973 she worked for 20 years as a librarian in Balham library, before becoming head of library and heritage services at Wandsworth Council, where she oversaw securing lottery funding to improve tooting library, and developed adult learning programmes.

Ms Allen, who retired last December, said she was delighted to receive the honour, and was looking forward to her visit to Buckingham Palace to collect her award.

She said: “I don’t know who nominated me but whoever it was i’m grateful for them marking my work.”

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