A former Somerset County Councillor has been appointed a lifelong peer in the House of Lords.
Cathy Bakewell gains the title Baroness with her appointment as a lifelong peer. Baroness Bakewell began her political career as the former Liberal Democrat MP Paddy Ashdown's secretary in the early 1980s.
She was first elected as a county councillor for Coker division, South Somerset, in 1993 and was leader of the county council from 2001 until 2007. After 20 years of service she stood down as a county councillor in May this year.
Baroness Bakewell said: "I'm delighted and humble to have been chosen for this great honour. Having had experience at the county council of delivering services to those most in need, I intend to speak up for those in the rural communities whose voice is often overlooked in the corridors of White Hall."
Somerset County Council leader John Osman offered Baroness Bakewell his congratulations.
