A LIFETIME of loyal and dedicated service to her home town and the people living in it has earned a 92-year-old Clitheroe woman a top honour.

Miss Dorothy Rushton is to receive the title of Honorary Burgess from Clitheroe Town Council, the highest honour the council can award.

It is the first time for 30 years that the council has seen fit to make an award of this kind to a resident, but it was felt that Miss Rushton's achievements over the years had to be officially appreciated. Miss Rushton, who lives in Roefeld Nursing Home, Clitheroe, was educated locally at the Royal Queen's Grammar School, before setting off to university in Liverpool in 1924. Following a career in teaching, she taught at many different schools in the area but finished her working life as headteacher of Pendle Junior School, Clitheroe, in 1964.

The list of her interests and achievements is almost endless but include being a founder member and president of the Clitheroe Afternoon Townswomen's Guild, past president of the local Soroptimists, Clitheroe Mayoress between 1949 and 1952, founder chairman of the Old People's Welfare Club and trustee, and a member of the Luncheon Club, where she served on the committee up to last year .

Clitheroe Town Clerk Mr Peter Roberts, said: "As a town council we are not allowed to make anyone a freeman of the borough but after much negotiations we have been told the highest honour we can give to Miss Rishton is to make her an Honorary Burgess.

"I am told she is absolutely thrilled with the award and we, of course, are delighted to honour her in this way."

The presentation of the award will be made at the beginning of December.

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