Former town councillor Susan Spiller has been granted the Honorary Freedom of the Parish of Axminster.

A certificate was presented to Mrs Spiller this week, in recognition of her "esteemed and eminent service to the council and community over more than two decades".

The presentation was made by Cllr Jeremy Walden, who was Mayor of Axminster in 2019 when it was originally agreed to offer Mrs Spiller the Honorary Freedom of the Parish, with the presentation having been delated by the coronavirus pandemic.

In making the presentation, Cllr Walden praised Mrs Spiller for her commitment and guidance during her years on the council, in particular her dedication to the upkeep of the town's cemetery, which he said was now one of the best in the region.

A bench at the cemetery has also been dedicated to Mrs Spiller.

In accepting the certificate, Mrs Spiller said she was "humbled and honoured". She said she had moved to Axminster as a "shy little girl", her parents going on to open a long-running business in the town and she eventually stood for election to the town council.

"Little did I think at that point that I would go on to serve for more than two decades," she said.

Mrs Spiller recalled how nervous she was at her first council meeting, but she had been encouraged by fellow member John Jeffery, who she said became a "tremendous friend and support", along with other members of the council at the time.

She also thanked her family and friends for their support over the years.

Mrs Spiller commented: "There are many people in this town who quietly go about doing good things. They do not do it for there recognition, they do it for the town. Axminster is a wonderful place to live and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

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