A FORMER town and Shropshire Councillor says she is 'immensely proud' of being awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to her adopted town of Wem.

Pauline Dee, who served as a councillor across a number of authorities for more than four decades, was awarded the medal in the New year's Honours List.

With the knowledge tucked away, apart from her family, for a few weeks, Pauline admitted her 'great excitement and pride' in being awarded the honour for being a champion of Wem.

She said: "The honour is for services to Wem, so it's quite exciting to get that, and I was really pleased.

"I then got a phone call on December 22 from the Cabinet Office to confirm that I had got it because there hadn't been a letter – probably because of the postal strike – and I was very excited.

"I did tell my children who said they had wondered because we'd received so many phone calls from different people checking up on me, probably people who nominated me.

"It's a great honour to be recognised for the work I do for Wem.

"This is the best part for me – you get people who say thank you when you're able to do something for them.

"But when I retired from the councils, I got so many cards and messages on social media which showed people did appreciate what I did for the town over the last 40 years.

"To be able to do it in a town that adopted me, it's just so wonderful – I am delighted that it's for services to Wem."

Pauline thanked those who have supported her over the many years, including council staff and her own family.

She said: "I want to thank Wem Town Council, the town clerks, the officers at economic development at North Shropshire District Council –Mike Scott and Dave Wallace and their teams – who were fantastic in getting the £1.3 million to pay for the work to help tidy the town up.

"Of course, I would like to thank my children and my late husband Terry without whom I wouldn't be able to do it.

"It's all down to the fire service – if they hadn't have promoted Terry to manager then we'd have never moved to Wem from Shrewsbury, and it's ironic that I finished my time as a councillor on the fire authority."