ONE of Droitwich's most honoured citizens celebrated her 90th birthday with her family.

Freeman of the town and three times mayor, Anne Sandles, enjoyed a meal and party to mark the occasion last Tuesday.

Mrs Sandles was born just outside Droitwich and spent most of her life in the town, apart from the five years she lived in Longbridge with her husband, Peter, before the outbreak of World War Two. For a time she worked at the Austin Motor Group then became interested in local politics, when friend John Lane asked her to join Droitwich Borough Council in the late sixties.

At first she was an Independent but, with a flourishing Labour party, she was keen to join the opposing Tories and in 1969 became the town's first Conservative mayor.

Mrs Sandles was crowned mayor again in 1977 and 1983 and was also chairman of the housing committee for many years. Although there were many changes during her 30 years on the council, she particularly remembers signing the twin town agreement between Droitwich and Bad Ems in Germany in 1974.

"The agreement was signed in May in Droitwich and in October in Bad Ems. And I was at both of them," said the Alexander Avenue pensioner.

She retired from local government more than a decade ago but is still a well-respected member of the community. She has one daughter, Ann, who is town councillor Ann Taft and Mayor of Droitwich.

She spent her birthday with her daughter and grandchildren Simon and Fiona. They enjoyed lunch at The Cottage in the Wood Hotel, in Malvern, and also held a family party on Sunday.

Her recipe for a long and happy life is a lot of give and take.

"She is also a fighter with a lot of perseverance," added Mrs Taft.