A former journalist who has helped bring to light Watford's colourful arts and culture scene has won an award for her services to the town.

Grelle White will be presented with the Special Achievement Award at Watford Borough Council's Audentior Awards ceremony tomorrow night.

She said: "I find it hard to believe that I have been chosen for the Special Achievement Audentior Award, but also incredibly touched and honoured.

"It feels like winning the lottery without buying a ticket."

Ms White, a former arts editor at the Watford Observer, organised 16 charity golf days on behalf of the newspaper with the aim of giving the town’s business community a pleasant day out together and raise funds for smaller charities in the town.

The 74-year-old continued: "At the time, I joined the Watford Observer, I was struck by the way both outsiders and local people perceived the town as an ugly duckling.

"Too many shades of grey, too much concrete and, to my mind, too many residents moaning about what had gone wrong instead of pulling together to find a better, colourful way forward.

"For a start, we had a lot of visual art, but very few places to show it. Lots of music, from a concert hall with world famous acoustics to 70 small local bands confined to playing in pubs.

"The Palace Theatre, which regularly 'exported' plays to the West End. We also had historic buildings mostly unknown and certainly not appreciated."

Ms White joined the Watford Area Arts Forum when it was founded 15 years ago, which aimed to create a platform for the town's artistic community.

She said: "I was asked to produce a newsletter for members, but suggested a magazine aimed at raising the profile of art and culture in Watford generally would be more useful.

"With a lot of help, support and, not least, appreciation, the magazine has been published twice a year for the past 15 years. Increasingly we are able to report improvements and happy endings.

"Being able to follow developments like Friends of Little Cassiobury’s efforts to reclaim this Grade 2* listed Dower house as part of Watford’s heritage is part of the joy of producing the magazine.

"All part of the ugly duckling gradually turning itself into a beautiful swan."