One of Merton’s leading councillors was tickled pink after receiving a gong for her long-standing record of public service.

Councillor Edith Macauley, Merton's first black female mayor, received an MBE on Friday, March 2 for services to the local community.

After meeting Her Majesty The Queen to receive her award at Windsor Caste she said: “It was a marvellous day to have received my MBE from the Queen. I was absolutely delighted with the award.”

An MBE - "Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire" - is the most junior of honours of chivalry given by the British monarch since 1917.

Councillor Macauley sits as a magistrate in Wimbledon Magistrates' Court and has worked as a lawyer for the Communication Worker's Union since 1972.

She has represented Lavender Fields at Merton Council since 1998 and in 2010 was appointed as its cabinet member for Community Engagement and Equalities.

CWU's general secretary, Billy Hayes, said: "The recognition that Edith has received reflects not only the contribution she has made to her local community and to the judicial system but also to the union and we are justly proud of her."

Leader of Merton Council, Stephen Alambritis said: "This is fantastic news and I would like to congratulate Councillor Macauley on behalf of the residents of our borough and Merton Council.

"For over 13 years Councillor Macauley has worked with residents of Lavender Fields and across Merton and it is great to see her hard work recognised."

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