Marlow Town Council’s clerk is set to retire next month after five years in post.

Annie Jones has been praised by town mayor, cllr Bob Johnson, for her “energy and commitment” to her role as town clerk as she prepares to step down.

Hilary Martin, who has spent the past 12 years running the public and internal examinations department at Marlow’s Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, will take over from Annie in April.

Mrs Martin has also dedicated the past four years to managing the office administration team and parental communications at the West Street school, and previously worked as an operations manager for 14 years at British Telecom.

She said: “I am very excited and feel privileged to be taking up this important role in the Marlow community.

“I am looking forward to building relationships with the Council team in order to enable their vision and serve the people of Marlow.”

Cllr Johnson added: “We’re delighted to welcome Hilary to the Council. Her experience and knowledge of the town will be valuable assets to our team.

“We’re sad to be losing Annie, who has brought so much energy and commitment to her role as town clerk, and we wish her well in her retirement.”

In 2015 Annie was crowned clerk of the year by the Society of Local Council Clerks for her “exceptional” support of the Marlow community.

At the time she was hailed by the town council for her dedicated work during the floods which devastated the town in 2014.