DROITWICH is mourning the loss of Annie Sandles, who was three-times mayor and the town's last surviving honoury freeman.

Mrs Sandles, known as Ann, died at her Droitwich home, aged 93, on Saturday, January 26.

Her daughter, Anne Taft, also a former mayor, said she remembered the start of her mother's political career.

She said: "I can remember coming home from school one day and this gentleman was just leaving. I remember asking, Who's that man?' "She said, He's been to ask me if I will stand for council'."

It marked the beginning of nearly three decades of dedicated public service.

Mrs Sandles was born Annie Wright at Stoke Works, just outside Droitwich, on September 28, 1914.

She married Peter Sandles in 1934 and the couple lived in Westcroft Street and then Alexander Avenue, where she remained all her life.

During the Second World War she worked at Birmingham's Austin Motor Company and became a housewife when Mrs Taft was born in 1948.

In 1963 she joined Droitwich borough council and was chairman of housing, before becoming the first Conservative mayor of Droitwich in 1969. Mrs Taft said people would knock on her door at 10pm desperate for housing.

She said: "She always had time for them. She was a real people's person."

She was also president of the Droitwich Dolphins swimming club and a life member. In 1977 she was mayor again and also in 1983.

That year she visited Germany to sign a twinning agreement with Bad Ems, which is still in place.

Mrs Sandles was a trustee of the Droitwich Almshouses for 28 years and a member of St Augustine's Church. She worked part-time at Droitwich Lido and in accounts at HR Ford.

She left Wychavon in 1991, was widowed in 1993 and in 1996 was made an honoury freeman and had Sandles Road named after her.

Mrs Taft said: "She was absolutely thrilled. She was a very determined lady, a very strong character but very kind.

"She was a lovely mother, a very supportive mother and grandmother and we will all miss her."

Mrs Sandles leaves grandchildren Fiona and Simon and great-grandaughter Amelia.

A funeral will be held at St Augustine's Church, Dodderhill, Droitwich, at 2.15pm tomorrow.