AFTER almost three decades keeping Littlemore Parish Council in shape Pauline Jones has handed over the baton to the next generation.

The 67-year-old has been chairing meetings of the council since 1989 but decided the time was right to call it a day after suffering eye problems.

When she first took on the role of organising the council's activities she said she was thrown in at the deep end and knew little about local government.

But over the years the grandmother-of-four became a vital part of the body's day-to-day work.

She said: "It felt quite strange at first when I stepped down.

"It will take a while to get used to it because after 27 years it became part of my life.

"Paul Isaacs, the new clerk, is still coming around to see me sometimes because the handover is not done overnight.

"I have enjoyed every minute of it."

Mrs Jones, who has lived in Littlemore since she was four, owned the area's post office for eight years and now works part-time as a receptionist at Donnington Health Centre in Iffley.

She took on the role of parish clerk when Anne Mogridge, who has just stepped down as a parish councillor, suggested she apply for the role.

Despite not having much knowledge of the job she was successful and quickly got to grips with it.

She said: "I never imagined I would still be there 27 years later.

"I gradually learned all of the procedures and how to do the agenda, there was a lot to take in.

"But after a few months it fell into place.

"Back then we were under South Oxfordshire District Council and we had 21 councillors and there were some real characters.

"We had great fun with them and we had days out, we used to go to Henley Regatta with bottles of wine and picnics."

Mrs Jones, who is married to David, said there had been huge changes to Littlemore since she took on the job of parish clerk, including hundreds of new homes, the development of Oxford Science Park and the construction of the Kassam Stadium in nearby Greater Leys.

She said she was looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren but also keen to keep working at Donnington Health Centre.

She said: "At the moment I am doing 22 hours a week but I am not sure how long it will continue.

"I enjoy being with my grandchildren, I love spending time with them.

"David has always helped me delivering the Littlemore Local newsletter and he took minutes at the meetings occasionally as well.

"It has been a great 27 years but it was time to move on."