Friends and colleagues from across North Herts gathered in Royston on Thursday to say farewell to the town clerk on her retirement after 10 years.

Susan Thornton-Bjork has served Royston Town Council for 18 years – first as deputy town clerk from 1999, then as town clerk from 2007.

Gifts, flowers and a photo memory book commemorating her time with the town council were presented to Mrs Thornton-Bjork.

Royston mayor Councillor Vera Swallow and council leader Councillor F John Smith paid tribute to her long and committed service as town clerk, and said she would be much-missed by the town and councillors.

Mrs Thornton-Bjork’s deputy Caroline Mills was welcomed as new town clerk.

Councillor Lindsay Davidson said: “We are all looking forward to working with her over the coming years.

“We are confident she will make an excellent town clerk, who will continue to maintain the very high standards of work set by her predecessor.”