Mary Young is living proof that you're never too old to take up something new. She has just won her first council seat at the not-so-tender age of 81.

Mrs Young, of Oxford Road, Kidlington, took Cherwell District Council's South East Kidlington seat for the Conservatives at her first time of standing and is looking forward to her new role as a councillor.

She said: "I was at the Kidlington Conservatives' AGM. Nobody said anything, so I said I'd stand.

"I didn't know what my chances would be because I hadn't done it before, but I was elected. I'm getting used to the idea. I have some good friends who are councillors and they have helped." Mrs Young, a widow with four children and seven grandchildren, moved to Kidlington with her family in 1958.

Always a Tory voter, she has lived in the Balkans and West Africa. She worked as a secretary for many years, including 15 years at nearby Thames Valley Police HQ, until she retired at 65.

But retirement didn't mean inactivity. As well as her council duties, Mrs Young is also assistant secretary of Thames Valley retired UNISON members, chairman of the committee which runs Abbeyfield Home for the Elderly at Kidlington and a leading light in the Prison Phoenix Trust.

She is also on the committee of Kidlington Scout Group, and has been helping with scout and guide groups since her children were members. Her campaign issues included pressure for better facilities for all residents in her ward. She says her family are right behind her new move, despite her age. "They're thrilled." she said.