FORMER Bury education chief Harold Williams has received an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours.

Mr Williams held three primary school headships before joining the Bury Local Education Authority advisory service in 1986.

In 1994 he was appointed head of the advisory service, while also holding a position as a registered schools inspector for Ofsted.

Mr Williams became chief education officer for Bury in September 1997. His final position with Bury Council before his retirement this year was as director of education and culture.

He remains a member of the Board of Education and the Schools Committee of Manchester Diocese and is Chair of the SPD Trust, a local charity promoting health education and citizenship in Bury schools.