A FORMER St Albans secondary school pupil who worked on the Olympic park project for six years as director of infrastructure has received the Freedom of the City of London.

Louise Hardy, who once attended Beaumont School, was recently given the award, an ancient honour dating back to the 13th Century, at the Guildhall for services to engineering.

The 45 year old said she was “pleased and really honoured” to receive the Freedom of the City of London.

Louise was given the award by Murray Craig, the Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court in The City of London, also from St Albans.

She worked on the Olympic Park – delivering it on time and on budget – and has also worked on the Channel Tunnel rail link and spent two years in Romania working on a major motorway project.

Louise, who studied engineering at Warwick University and was made a fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers two years ago, gave birth to twin girls, Claire and Hannah, in March last year – just four months ahead of London 2012

While Louise’s family still live in St Albans, she has since moved to Canary Wharf in London.