Watford Mayor Dorothy Thornhill, who was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list, says she was “shocked and honoured” by the award.

Mayor Thornhill, a former school teacher, first entered public life in 1992, when she was elected as a councillor for Oxhey. Ten years later she became the first elected mayor of Watford and has held the position ever since.

She told the Watford Observer: “My first thought was that somebody had made a mistake. My husband said that I turned white. I was shocked and honoured. I really couldn’t believe that it was for me.

“When I turned on my computer today I had lots of lovely emails from people and I must admit that I was a bit tearful about it all. I am just deeply honoured to receive this award.”

Mayor Thornhill, who has announced her intention to step down in 2014, has been recognised for her services to local government. She insists, however, that she has no plans to scale-back her public commitments.

She added: “I have got no intention of putting my feet up and retiring. I have said that I’ll stand down as Mayor but I still have a lot that I want to do. Watford will always be my first focus and always has been – I really can’t see that changing in the future.”

Asked about a potential Parliamentary bid in May 2015 (the anticipated date of the next general election) Mayor Thornhill said she was keeping an “open mind” on all future options.