GUIDE leader Yvonne White is hanging up her uniform after 30 years' dedicated service to the 3rd Langho St Mary's troupe.

Mrs White, 65, began her guiding career in 1948 at the age of 10 when she joined the Holy Trinity troupe in Darwen.

During her time as a guide and later a ranger Miss Willis, as she was then known, met both the Queen and Princess Margaret.

Her trip to London with the East Lancashire Girl Rangers to provide a guard of honour for the Princess, when she went to see a gala performance of Sinbad the Sailor, was remembered in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's '50 years ago' section' on December 16.

She remained a member of the organisation throughout her college days in Birmingham but left at 20.

Following her marriage and return to the area Mrs White founded the 3rd Langho troupe, in 1973.

Mrs White said: "I went to a meeting in St Mary's for the local community where we were asked to volunteer our services.

"I suggested that I could start up a local brownie-guide troupe."

There are more than 20 members of 3rd Langho and they recently sent one of their number, Jane Astley, as a guide representative to a conference in Canada.

They also help raise money for local charities.

Asked what she would miss most when she retires, Mrs White said: "The enjoyment of being with the children."

As a thank-you for her long-standing commitment to the guides, Mrs White will be going on a balloon ride next spring.