AT just 17-years-old Joyce Thomas was the youngest parish clerk in the country - more than 50 years later one of Ross-on-Wye's most successful female politicians has been honoured with an MBE for services to her community.

It was Mrs Thomas' five years on Woolhope Parish Council that gave her the bug for politics.

She wanted to do more and after winning the Ross Town Council elections in 1970 celebrated her first success a year later when she founded Ross Pre School Playgroup.

"I fought my first election on a playgroup which is still going strong 32 years later. I'm life president of that," said Mrs Thomas, who is delighted and surprised to receive her honour.

Her MBE recognises more than 30 years of accomplishments. Only a few months ago she was chairman of West Mercia Police Authority and Vice Chairman of Herefordshire Council.

In 1975 she became Ross' most successful female politician as the first woman to be voted town mayor.

During her office she turned a rubbish dump into Ross' only park, Deanhill Park, and provided the town's first playground at Homs Road.

She is very well known for her work outside politics too. "Although I sat as a Conservative for several years, I didn't like the politics involved in a councillor's life so I became an Independent councillor and I could make decisions on my own," said Mrs Thomas.

As chairman of governors for Ross Grammar School and Oveross Secondary School she co-ordinated the amalgamation of both to become John Kyrle High School and she is still on the governing body.

She also co-founded the Ross Advisory Service, which became the Citizens Advice Bureau, and remains firmly involved.

"I retired from politics this year but I still have plenty to do," said a delighted Mrs Thomas.