ONE of Mawnan Smith's longest serving councillors has retired after over three decades of serving the community.

Marjorie Briars has been on Mawnan Parish Council for 35 years but after so many years of loyal service and attending over 500 council meetings, she has decided to retire.

At a council meeting last week, chairman Denis Gartside announced that four councillors in total would be steeping down at the election on May 3.

Coun Gartside said: "There are three parish councillors who regrettably are not seeking re-election. Their specialised skills and competence have been invaluable to the operation of this council.

"Richard South's business acumen and relentless pursuit of safety on our roads, Charles Stimpson's infectious passion for the Best Kept Village competition and Chris Hibbert's expertise in environmental issues and co-producing the Mawnan At War DVD.

"There is another councillor who will not be gracing the next parish council - Marjorie Briars has decided to retire. The statistics are impressive - almost 500 parish council meetings, that is around 70 full working days dedicated to the community and that does not take into account the many hours Marjorie spent walking and checking our public footpaths."

Marjorie was also treated to a musical This Is Your Life style goodbye, coun Gartside had prepared a CD containing songs and sound bites from over the 35 years.

One of the best presents that Marjorie received was the news that footpath 16 had been completed. This was something that had been going on almost as long as she has been on the council.

And as a trustee of the Carwinion Playing Field Trust the council decided to dedicate one of the newly refurbished benches to Marjorie.

As well as the gifts from the council Marjorie also received a letter from the prime minister Tony Blair congratulating her on her 35 years of service. Marjorie said jokingly: "I might even start voting Labour now."

And as a final surprise Marjorie's family joined the meeting before going off for a glass of bubbly and a pasty.