BELLANALECK woman Florence Willis has received a BEM for her services to local government, with the modest woman telling this paper she had a great shock when she received news of her honour.

She said: “It was a great surprise. When the Cabinet Office rang, I couldn’t believe it – I thought it was a scam!"

Now over the initial surprise of receiving an honour from Her Majesty, Florence said: “ I was so humbled to be recognised for my work.”

She has been an attendant at the public toilets in Bellanaleck for more than 40 years, supporting the community for decades.

Florence said: “In all my time looking after the toilets, I never would have thought of [receiving] this. It’s lovely, and Stuart – my boss in Killyvilly – has been a great boss."

The task is a daily one for Florence: “The job is great because I can walk to them, attend to the toilets, and then have a little walk after.”

Florence said her family were incredibly proud of her, and she knew her late husband would also have been delighted for her in receiving the honour.

“If he had been here, he would have been over the moon,” she told this newspaper.

Florence has been carrying out her role for almost 44 years, and plans to continue to carry it out for as long as she can: “As long as I am able to walk up and down, I will keep on doing it.”

She has been involved in different aspects of community life, including 15 years as Beaver leader in the Cleenish Hall, and helping out with catering in the hall. She previously had worked on school meals at St. Fanchea’s College.

Florence has received congratulations from across the community. She said: “I am so thankful for all the messages I have got, and all of the cards and flowers.

"People have been so wonderful – they have been wonderful, sending me messages. It has been overwhelming.”