A WOMAN who, for 17 years, was at the forefront of a campaign that raised £400,000 for Dartmouth Hospital League of Friends, has been honoured by being appointed the body's first president.

Miss Irene Scawn, who is the holder of the MBE,was given the post in recognition of her lifetime's work at the town hospital.

The former mayor and former chairman of the league said she was overwhelmed that she had been honoured in this way.

'It was a tremendous surprise,' said a delighted Miss Scawn. 'To say I was shocked is the understatement of the year. It was an extremely emotional moment for me.'

The first Miss Scawn, one of a handful of the town's honorary citizens, heard about the new presidency was at a lunch held at Norton Park for supporters of the league.

She thought she was going as an ordinary guest until she was shown to her place on the top table by the league's chairman, Marjorie Potter.

In a speech after the meal, Dr Paddy McConaghey paid tribute to the woman who started working as a nurse for the hospital in 1938.

Speaking of some of Miss Scawn's achievements through the years, Dr McConaghey highlighted that she was a founder member and former chairman of the league and had been instrumental in saving the hospital from closure in 1946 by mounting a massive fund-raising effort.

During the 17 years Miss Scawn was chairman, £400,000 was raised to finance both major building projects and extra comforts for patients.

'The fruits of her labour are evident to us all. To say thank you seems inadequate' added Dr McConaghey.

One tradition Miss Scawn has agreed to carry on for just one more year is the presentation of more than 200 Christmas gifts to every patient in the hospital and in residential homes around the area.

She buys them throughout the year, wraps them and arranges delivery.

Chairman, Marjorie Potter, said: 'It is a mammoth task, a very important social effort, and so much appreciated by everyone who receives a present.

'After Miss Scawn resigned from the committee we felt we had to honour all of her work in some way and organised the lunch for her.

'I don't think anyone will ever match her record.'