MALMESBURY dignitaries turned out in force this week to honour retiring town clerk Edward Ferguson.

Ten ex-mayors, former councillors and North Wiltshire MP James Grey attended a private farewell dinner.

In apprec- iation of his 18 years of service to the town, Mr Ferguson was presented with a print of Brian Neil's town scenes and an engraved pewter quaich, or whiskey drinking bowl, together with a bottle of single malt whisky.

Mr Ferguson elected not to have a civic retirement ceremony, and just two current councillors, Ray Sanderson and Martin Snell, attended the dinner.

Mr Ferguson's former deputy, Susan Webb, paid tribute to the man she described as "kind, gentle and helpful".

She said: "I first met him when I started working at the town hall in 1989, and right from the first he was incredibly helpful to me.

"At first he seemed quite quiet and kept himself to himself, but I later learned that he had a wonderful dry sense of humour that I don't think many people got to see.

"In many ways he was a typical Scot with his dry sense of humour and down to earth attitude.

"He was very dedicated to Malmesbury and during his 18 years there were many highlights to his career.

"But I think the thing he was proudest of was the visit to Malmesbury by the Queen and Prince Philip.

"He organised the whole thing by himself.

"It was a wonderful occasion, it went off without a flaw and I think he did Malmesbury proud that day.

"He did a lot for this town.

"I think it was a shame that his time here had to come to such an abrupt end.

"I will miss him a great deal and I think so will anyone who had contact with him."

Mr Ferguson is planning to stay in the area and has got a job with the Wiltshire Association of Town Councils.

He will be passing on his 18 years of experience to other clerks.

He will be training new town clerks and running training courses for existing clerks on new legislation that will affect the running of their towns.

Mrs Webb said: "It is a comfort to me to know that a new generation of clerks will benefit from all the wisdom and experience he gained right here in Malmesbury."

Mr Ferguson's replacement Phil Rice starts his new job at the town hall today.