A STOURPORT councillor has been given a prestigious title recognising her 43 years serving the community.

Ninety-three-year-old Elizabeth Mills is the first person to be made an honorary alderman of the Wyre Forest district.

Mrs Mills, who was awarded an MBE in 1981 for her services to the community, had the title bestowed upon her at an extraordinary council meeting yesterday.

The leader of Wyre Forest District Council, Stephen Clee, presented her with a scroll and badge of office.

An honorary alderman must have served as a councillor for at least 20 years and held office as chair of a major committee and held a senior position on the council or one of the political groups.

Among the privileges she will now enjoy is to receive invitations to all civic events to which council members are invited.

Mrs Mills said: "I am absolutely delighted and thrilled. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would ever be given such an honour."

After moving to Stourport in 1956 she served the Lickhill ward as a district councillor between 1974 and 1996.

She had previously represented the ward for 12 years on Worcestershire County Council before local government reorganisation.

During her long and distinguished service she has held the position of Wyre Forest District Council chairman.

Mrs Mills is still a Stourport town councillor.