Calne town clerk Linda Roberts was elected as the president of national body the Society of Local Council Clerks on Friday.

She is only the second clerk in Wiltshire to receive the honour in 40 years and takes over from Duncan Wright of Hatfield, South Yorkshire.

As well as closing this year’s national conference, Mrs Roberts will make presentations at regional conferences and larger local council conferences during her year as president.

Mrs Roberts said: “I was very nervous but also very emotional. I’ve been told I spoke very well and that they could tell it was from the heart.

“The fact that I have been elected as president means Calne has been recognised as a proactive council which delivers for its community.

“We are already known and thought of as a top quality council and I intend to reinforce that message.”

There are around 9,000 town and parish councils in the country, although not all are members of the SLCC.

Mrs Roberts, who is also chair of the Wiltshire branch of the SLCC, hopes to share information and good practice as well as encouraging professional development.

She moved to Calne in 1983 and was deputy clerk between 1998 and 2007 before becoming town clerk.

In her year, Mrs Roberts will raise money for Dorothy House Hospice and the Charitable Trust of the Institute of Local Council Managers.