A SERVICE of thanksgiving to remember the life of a former deputy lieutenant of Wiltshire will be held next week.

Mary Salisbury CBE, died on October 27 aged 90 and will be remembered by people in Melksham at St Michael and All Angels Church in Canon Square at 11.30am on December 12.

During her life Mrs Salisbury was elected to the former Melksham Urban District Council in 1954 and became its first woman chairman.

She was later elected to Wiltshire County Council and became its first woman chairman from 1989 to 1992.

She also became a justice of the peace in 1960 and was made a deputy lieutenant of Wiltshire in 1982.

In 1994 she was made a CBE for services to local government.

Mrs Salisbury left behind a daughter, son-in-law, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Her funeral took place on Friday November 7 at 2pm at St John the Evangelist’s Church in Bromley, Kent.

The service next Friday will be attended by members of her family and the current Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire John Bush and is open to all.