THE work of one of Princes Risborough's most committed residents was acknowledged in a surprise celebration.

Peter Robinson, 87, was welcomed by a large audience at The Princes Centre in Clifford Road on May 23 to recognise his good work.

His work over many years with organisations in the town was acknowledges in a talk by MP and Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow.

Rotarians Tony Maisey and Chris Brooks gave an entertaining This Is Your Life segment, which included embarrassing pictures from the past.

President of the Rotary Club, John Hughes, spoke about how Peter, who was one of the club's founders, lives up to the Rotary motto "Service above Self" and then sprung a surprise by announcing that Peter was being recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow.

This reflects Peter's outstanding commitment to the club and the community. This is the second time the Princes Risborough Rotary has recognised Peter's achievements in this way - a unique event for the club.

President John presented a cheque to Peter from the rotary club, adding £5,000 (which included a donation of £1,000 from Barclays) to the Save the Day Care Centre Fund and brought the rotary's contribution over the past 18 months to more than £25,000.

Peter has been a driving force behind the efforts to maintain day care facilities in the town and the Princes Centre is now more than half way towards its target of £300,000, the amount required to buy and carry out essential repairs to the building.

Peter's efforts to ensure the services for mentally and physically disadvantaged people have been secured were praised by Mayor Alan Turner, who unveiled a plaque which named the main hall of the centre as The Peter Robinson Hall.

Entertainment, which included a special musical tribute to Peter, was provided by songs from a group of the centre's clients.