Long-serving town councillor Maureen Lloyd will be the first to receive an award introduced this year to the Chippenham Town Council civic awards.

The Labour councillor lost her seat in the Cepen Park and Redlands ward in this year’s election after about 20 years of dedication to the town council.

Mrs Lloyd, who gives her time to the Royal British Legion, Transport for the Disabled Society and Waste Not Want Not, will be thanked at the awards ceremony on Sunday, September 1, at Neeld Hall.

Mayor Sylvia Gibson said: “Maureen is so deserving of the long service award, she has been such an active member. I am really chuffed to get to present it to her, after working on the council with her for six years. ”

For the first time, a town crier will be hired in for the ceremony, which begins with a robed procession led by a town cadets band. The mayor, councillors, visiting mayors and dignitaries will leave from the Neeld Hall at 2.50pm and arrive at St Andrews Church for a 40-minute service at 3pm, before the awards are presented in Neeld Hall.

They are given to individuals who have made a material contribution to the advancement, well-being and welfare of the people of Chippenham.

Chris Dawe, described as a vibrant and active citizen of Chippenham, will be recognised for his work as an umpire with Blind Cricket England and Wales, which enables blind and partially sighted individuals to enjoy a sport they love.

Other recipients will be Donald Little, for his assistance to the Museum and Heritage Centre’s Friends of the Museum, Westinghouse Athletics Club and Chippenham Civic Society to name a few, and Abbeyfield School sixth former Ben Richards, who has led teams of students over the past four years to raise more than £4,000 for Helen & Douglas House Hospice, after his friend in primary school died of cancer.