The outgoing chairman of Watford Borough Council has described her year in office as a “privilege and a pleasure”.

A former Watford police officer, Councillor Jan Brown says she will hand over her ceremonial chain with much reluctance at a special ceremony inside the Town Hall tonight.

However, she has reflected on a “wonderful year,” with her highlight being the march through Watford by the soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment.

Councillor Brown said: “It has been an absolute wonderful year.

“The high spot was definitely the freedom on the Borough March by The Royal Anglian Regiment.

“That was absolutely wonderful and of course Watford did them proud.”

Such was impact of the day, the Chairman was invited to watch the soldiers from the regiment perform the beating the retreat last Saturday.

And along with her formal duties at Chairman, came the unexpected perk of being invited to watch her own grandson graduate.

After graduating from the University of Hertfordshire, Councillor Brown, together with her consort and husband Councillor Ian Brown, feared they would not be able to watch his ceremony at St Albans Cathedral.

She said: “The Cathedral is quite small and because there were so many students we were told it was just parents who could attend.

“Then they rang me the week before and asked if we would like to formally attend one of the graduation services.

“So we went as VIPs and we were able to sit on the stage and watch him at his graduation ceremony.”

During her year in office Councillor Brown has also raised £8,000 for her charities – the toy libraries at Westfield School Children's Centre and at Berry Grove Children's' Centre.

Councillor Brown will hand over her chains to Councillor Keith Crout at an annual meeting of Watford Borough Council tonight.

She added: “I am sad to give back the jewellery, but I have polished the chain so it is nice and shiny for Keith.”