THE first woman to be elected Mayor of Bury celebrated her 80th birthday on Sunday.

And present and former politicians wished her a very happy birthday when they threw a surprise party.

Retired Conservative councillor Mrs Evelyn Waite devoted much of her life to local politics, so much so that she gave up full-time employment to concentrate on her council work.

Paying tribute to her friend, Coun Dorothy Gunther said: "She was probably one of the most respected councillors in the borough, irrespective of political colour, and probably one of the best councillors that Bury has seen or is likely to see. As in everything she has done, it has been of the best and she has served her community well in every way."

Mrs Waite was born in Hayes, Middlesex, and was the middle child in a family of seven children.

She now lives in Park Avenue, Ramsbottom, with her husband, Harold.

She moved to Edenfield in 1946, where her daughter, Ann, was born.

During that year, she successfully campaigned for a baby clinic in her village. The nearest clinic was in Ramsbottom, which meant new mothers being forced to trek miles with their babies.

Mrs Waite returned to nursing and became well known for her dedication as the district nurse and later, at the former Aitken Sanitorium (now Darul Uloom College), and Robinson Kay Home, which is now Highbank, in Walmersley Road. A member of many community groups, Mrs Waite was Guide captain and founder member of Shuttleworth in Ramsbottom Women's Institute, and its first president.

Her involvement with the Women's Royal Voluntary Service was instrumental in getting the Meals on Wheels Service operating in the Ramsbottom district.

Mrs Waite also founded the Ramsbottom Aid in Sickness fund, of which she is still the visiting secretary

She was instrumental in setting up Ramsbottom Cottage Hospital League of Friends, and for some years, was its chairman and president.

In 1973, Mrs Waite was elected to the newly-formed Bury Metropolitan Borough Council as one of three councillors representing Ramsbottom.

Immediately after being elected, she was made chairman of leisure services committee.

She was also nominated by Bury to serve on AGMA, The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, and the AMA, Association of Metropolitan Authorities in London. Here, she came into contact with former MP Shirley Williams, who asked Mrs Waite to serve on the National Libraries Board.

Mrs Waite served as Mayor of Bury during the municipal year 1986 to 1987.