AN Ottery pensioner received a special than you from the town s mayor last week after retiring from a job she had done for more than a quarter of a century.

AN Ottery pensioner received a special than you from the town's mayor last week after retiring from a job she had done for more than a quarter of a century.

Great grandmother of three Margaret Basten, 87, has cleaned the old town council offices in Silver Street for at least 30 years. Margaret doesn't remember when she started but the earliest pay slip for her on record dates back to 1979.

Former Land Army girl Margaret, of Winters Lane, cycled to work well into her 80's and said doesn't plan to put her feet up just yet.

Asked how she felt about calling time on her working days, Margaret said: "I'll tell you that when I'm really retired - I'm still keeping myself busy."

Her son John, 57, added: "Mum is never retired, she's been so brilliant looking after people that are younger than her."

Margaret, who moved to Ottery during the Second World War, was presented with flowers and a card by Mayor Glyn Dobson last Thursday.

Mr Dobson said: "She's worked for us for at least 30 years and I've known her for about 15. Margaret is certainly a local character and we appreciate all she has done for the council.