SPRIGHTLY Ethel Parr loves to swim, still drives and is looking forward to starting a new life - at the tender age of 87!

She always enjoys a challenge and gained a degree - on her 70th birthday!

She has lived in the town all her life and is now moving to Kent, to be closer to her son, Andrew and three grandchildren.

A former Runcorn Mayoress, she spoke exclusively to the World this week, about her civic duties, during 1978-79, with her late husband, Arthur.

"My husband always said our future belongs to children," recalled Ethel.

"He wanted to visit every primary school and that's exactly what we did.

"He then invited a boy and girl from each school to the Mayor's parlour. It was wonderful. They loved it and we gave them a special meal."

Ethel remembers being invited to Japan by zip giant YKK.

"It was fascinating. There were lots of old traditions. We ate rice and used chopsticks!"

Ethel was always top of her class at Victoria Road Primary School and won a scholarship to Waterloo Road technical college when she was only 10.

She went on to work for Manweb and became a ladies swimming champion, representing Runcorn in many competitions.

She yearned to do more studies.

"When I retired, I couldn't sit at home and do nothing," said Ethel. She returned to College, sat O and A levels when she was 60 and enrolled with the Open University.

"It was wonderful," she said. "I gained a BA at the grand age of 70, in history, English and psychology."

A keen astronomer, Ethel loves peering at the night sky.

"It's a fascinating hobby," she said. "I've always been interested in the stars. Now, on a lovely starlit night, I feel quite pleased when I can find them by name!"

As she packed up her lifetime's belongings with her son, she discovered boxes of memorabilia from her days as a Mayoress. She has donated them all to the archive at Runcorn Town Hall.

Pictured: Starting a new life at 87: Former Runcorn Mayoress, Ethel Parr.