A councillor was left nearly speechless after she was surprised on her birthday with a bench in her honour.

Councillor Farida Turner celebrated her 80th birthday on Sunday and was taken aback when she realised what her family and colleagues had done to mark the occasion.

Her daughter Hannah arranged for a bench to be created and placed in Byron Park play area in Borehamwood, which is in her ward.

On Sunday, Cllr Turner, who has been a borough councillor in Hillside in Borehamwood since 2013, and a town councillor since 2007, was brought to the park on Sunday where she was greeted by her grandchildren Joe and Katy, who had decorated a bench with a giant red ribbon.

The bench also comes with a plaque which reads: 'Donated in honour of Cllr Farida Turner's 80th Birthday' along with a quote from Winnie the Pooh book.

Borehamwood Times:

Borehamwood Times:

The bench was funded by Cllr Turner's family and friends and councillor across both sides of the chamber in Elstree & Borehamwood.

Five hundred pounds has also been raised for the NSPCC, the late mayor Cynthia Barker's chosen charity.

On being given her present on Sunday, Cllr Turner said: "For once in my life, I'm speechless.

"I am overwhelmed by everyone's generosity. I've got wonderful friends and family and I'm really grateful Thank you everyone.

"It is also marvellous to raise all that money in memory of Cynthia."

Borehamwood Times:

Cllr Turner with her daughter Hannah and grandchildren Katy and Joe

Daughter Hannah added: "My mum is very proud of this park and she is very proud of Elstree & Borehamwood.

"She didn't want a present for herself so I thought it was an appropriate gift, and we also wanted to support a children's charity, with this being a children's playground."