A prison officer is to be given a special award in recognition of her contribution to the community and public service.

Irene Thompson is to receive the award from the High Sheriff of Cheshire after serving 19 years as an officer at Styal Prison, near Manchester.

It is the first time an award of its type has been made to a prison officer in the region.

The ceremony was due to take place at Styal on Monday at 1430 GMT.

'Outstanding officer'

The governor of Styal paid tribute to Ms Thompson and said she was one of the best officers in the country.

Madeline Moulden said: "Irene is one of the most outstanding senior officers I have ever known.

"This is a well deserved recognition of her tireless work in helping prisoners confront their behaviour and to make changes."

Ms Thompson retired from the Prison Service last month.

'Sorely missed'

"Her contribution to Styal is invaluable and she will be sorely missed by staff and prisoners alike," Ms Moulden added.

Styal Prison was built as a children's home in 1898 and was used to house Hungarian refugees in the 1950s.

It opened as a women's prison in 1962. The prison increased in size by 60% in April 1999 when prisoners from Risley were transferred there.

It recently opened a unit for women with mental health problems, and it has the largest mother and baby unit in the country.