Dedicated town clerk Carol Topple has made her own little bit of history.

Mrs Topple has resigned as the longest-serving clerk in Harwich Town Council's history.

Mrs Topple, of Ashley Road, Dovercourt, will be leaving at the end of February after more than 14 years.

She said: "The first day I started I was all alone and I was dreading the phone ringing.

"I made up my mind that if it did, I would say I was the cleaner but it did not ring at all.

"Now there's never a day the phone does not ring. It's got much busier and we have taken on other responsibilities.

Mrs Topple, 58, who used to be secretary at St Joseph's Primary School in Dovercourt, said she would now look forward to gardening and added: "I've promised my husband I will wash the car sometimes too."

Published Monday, January 13, 2003

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