FORMER Devizes Mayor Margaret Taylor has sworn an oath to become only the fourth person still living to receive the freedom of the town.

At an emotional ceremony in Devizes Town Hall on Friday evening she was presented with the illuminated certificate of admission as an Honorary Freemen of the Town by Mayor Jane Burton.

Mrs Taylor said: "I could not have felt more proud or emotional. It was a wonderful evening and I was quite moved by some of the kind and lovely words that were expressed."

She was delighted that Mrs Burton not only presented her with a bouquet but also gave flowers to her 99-year-old mother Iris Alderman who was among the guests.

Mrs Taylor, 77, said: "It was very kind of Jane to think of my mother as well."

She also thanked former Kennet chief executive Sidney Jacques who led the campaign which secured her the freedom honour.

Mrs Taylor moved to Devizes in 1964 with her husband Ray and they both quickly became involved with town life.

She sat on Wiltshire County Council representing Devizes North as a Labour councillor from 1997 until it was disbanded in 2009. She was also a Labour councillor on Kennet District Council for 15 years and was a town councillor for 26 years from 1983.

In his original letter of support Mr Jacques said: "Since 1972 Margaret has been a dedicated member of the Devizes, Mayenne and Waiblingen Twinning Associations and was a leading light for 20 years at their conferences as chairman of the Joint Kennet and Devizes Twinning Committee.

"Margaret retired from the Devizes Town Council in 2013 and I am sure that many like-minded residents would wish her long service to be recognised by awarding her the Freedom of the Town."

On Friday evening she was also presented with the official freedom scroll and a beautifully decorated cake organised by her daughter-in-law Jan. Both were decorated with three crests she had chosen for the ceremony. They depicted Devizes, Durham University where she and her husband met and the twinning association.

Mrs Taylor joins just three other people still living who have Freedom of the Town. They are former town clerk Julian Macdonald, former MP Michael Ancram and former councillor Pat Morris.

Devizes deputy town clerk Simon Fisher said the role did not come with a key or any particular rights but was a honorary title which meant holders would be invited to all important civic events.