JAN Bland, Barnoldswick Town Council's industrious clerk for 14 years, has set down her pen to set off on foreign adventures.

She visited a travel company's website to book a holiday and ended up landing a job. Now she is swapping the confines of the town council office for wide blue yonder in her new role as a tour manager with independent travel company Travelsphere.

Jan started working for the town council in April 1989, taking over from Brian Tipler. The council had only been established for two years and was still finding its feet.

"At the time my children were only young so the job suited me well because it was part-time," said Jan.

Initially she was based in the old town hall, on Jepp Hill, but later the council moved its base to the Old Library, in Fernlea Avenue.

Over the years the town council has evolved, taking on more responsibilities, a bigger budget and increasingly ambitious projects. Jan's role has grown with it, building a network of contacts with other organisations as well as coping with a mountain of correspondence and committee minutes.

"I've really enjoyed seeing the town grow and feeling that I've played a part behind the scenes," said Jan. "There's a lot of satisfaction in seeing things happen and providing a service to local people."

In fact an awful lot has happened during Jan's time as clerk. Changes for the better have included a new town square, library, police station and sports hall and pool for Barnoldswick.

The town council led the way in providing dog mess bins before the rest of Pendle, it employs its own town warden to keep things looking their best, puts on displays of hanging baskets in the summer and much enhanced lights at Christmas. It has helped improve existing playgrounds and provide new ones, appointed a town crier, run best-kept garden and street competitions, events on the town square throughout the summer, plus annual events such as the civic bonfire and fireworks display.

Countless other projects and improvements have been achieved, on top of the day-to-day business of the council, such as managing the town's allotments.

Key to it all have been the organisational skills of the town clerk, a role which has made Jan a well-known local figure.

"It's been a very worthwhile job and I've certainly enjoyed it, but it's someone else's turn now," she said.

Several changes in her life, including her children flying the nest, have meant that now is the right time for a change.

"I have an adventurous streak and what I don't want to do is to get too old and sit there wondering what would have happened if I'd done this or that."

So Jan seized the opportunity for a new career as a tour manager, helping groups of tourists get the most out of their holidays.

It was through booking a Travelsphere holiday that Jan noticed a section on the website for job opportunities and the rest, as they say, is history. Initially she will work in Europe, starting with Sardinia and Corsica, but as she gains experience her new role could take her around the globe.

"It's a great opportunity and I still can't believe I'm going to be doing it," she said.

This week David Whipp, a founder member of the town council, paid tribute to Jan.

"Jan has become synonymous with the town council in her 14 years as clerk," he said. "I think she has put a lot into the job and she will certainly be a hard act to follow. Everyone at the town council wishes her all the best with her change of direction."

Jan's replacement is yet to be appointed.