TRIBUTES have been paid to a Black Country born and bred education chief who was honoured by The Queen after she rose through the ranks to the top of her profession.

Kim Thorneywork attended Dudley Girls High School while growing up in Ivanhoe Street, Dudley, and after excelling as a teacher she went on to become the chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency which funds skills training for further education and apprenticeships throughout England.

Her dedication to her career was rewarded in 2014 when she was awarded a CBE for her services to education, learning and skills in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Tragically her time at the top was cut short after a breast cancer diagnosis which forced her to step down from the post that same year - after just 18 months in the role.

And on January 11 she lost her brave fight against the disease - and passed away peacefully at her home in Love Lane, Stourbridge, at the age of 58.

She leaves a husband - Dr Melvyn Kershaw OBE, daughter Alice - a research scientist, a sister Julie and step-daughters Emma and Rachel.

Dr Kershaw, distinguished former headteacher at Haybridge High School, paid tribute to his wife who was a former deputy head at the Hagley school until 2008.

He praised her "fantastic intellect" and said: "She had a rare combination of skills and abilities. She could analyse, cut through and deliver. People liked her and wanted to follow her. She had integrity, vision and passion - and guts, grit and determination to make things happen in complex national systems.”

Kim - who started her career at Frank F Harrison School in Bloxwich - enjoyed something of a meteoric rise through the ranks in the world of education after leaving Haybridge in 2008.

After a spell at Worcestershire County Council - the former science teacher became an area director for the Learning and Skills Association which became the SFA. She was then promoted to the role of national director for funding for the SFA before graduating to the top job.

Current SFA chief executive Peter Lauener described her as "a distinguished chief executive of the SFA who earned the respect of the whole sector through her knowledge of skills and education and her commitment to adult learning”. He added: "Our thoughts are with Kim's family and friends at this time.”

Kim's funeral will be held at St John the Baptist Church, Hagley, at 1pm on Thursday February 2.

Relatives have requested family flowers only.

Donations will go to the NSPCC and can be sent to H. Porter & Sons, Funeral Directors, 60 South Road, Stourbridge, DY8 3UJ.