The founder of a renowned language service facing massive council funding cuts said she was “very sad” it was being axed after receiving an MBE for her 28 years with the organisation.

Rosalind Carter was head of Hounslow Language Service (HLS) for nearly three decades, and it developed a national and international reputation for supporting children and families.

Mrs Carter, former branch president of the National Union of Teachers, said it was ironic she made the New Year’s Honours list when the authority was dismantling the service. She will be in line for redundancy when the cuts go ahead in April.

Marilyn Bater, secretary of Hounslow Teachers’ Association, said: “Hounslow Teachers’ Association has been involved in action to try to stop the cuts to the service.

“We had a very successful lobby at a council meeting, however, the council chose not to listen to our and parents’ concerns.

“It is somewhat ironic that Roz Carter has been given an award for her services to education, mainly based on her work with HLS.”

HLS now helps more than 7,000 youngsters from ethnic minorities to develop their English.

But Hounslow Council announced last year it would end its £686,000 annual subsidy – axing up to 80 jobs and leaving just a handful of teachers and staff.

Mrs Carter, who retired as head of HLS three years ago and now works as a part-time adviser, is among those who could face the axe.

She has been on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority advisory group on children of new arrivals, and was a founder member of the National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum.

She is also the race equality officer for Hounslow Teachers’ Association, sitting on the executive committee, and is secretary of the Hounslow teachers’ consultative panel group.

Ms Bater said union members were still waiting for the council to announce how many jobs would be axed.

Councillor Ruth Cadbury, deputy leader of the Labour Group, said cuts would have a “devastating impact” on the progress of ethnic minority students learning English.

A spokesman for Hounslow Council said: “Whatever the situation with the language service, we congratulate Roz on her MBE, which recognises her years of service.”

• What do you think? Let us know by email (gholt@london.newsquest.co.uk), phone the newsdesk on 020 8744 4271 or leave a comment below.