A NEYLAND councillor has been recognised for her 25-year-contribution to her town.

Seventy-six-year-old Cllr Hillary Richards joined the council in 1989, serving as Mayor three times, and Mayoress to her late husband Ken twice.

She was born and bred in Neyland but left when she married Ken to travel the world with him as he served in the Royal Regt of Wales.

The grandmother of 12 said that, despite enjoying her time in Berlin, Hong Kong and Northern Ireland, she could not wait to move back to her ‘true home’ of Neyland in 1976.

She says she joined the council so that she could give something back to the town she loves and will continue to do so until her health prevents her.

She was presented with a certificate marking her time at the council, and a bouquet of flowers, from current Mayor of Neyland, Cllr Simon Hancock.

A spokesman for the council said it wished to ‘place on record their thanks to Cllr Richards for her long and dedicated service to the town and people of Neyland’.