A former short hand typist from Brymbo has been celebrating an unusual but highly impressive milestone.

Lillian Dickinson, 96, who worked in the sales office of the village steelworks, has been playing the church organ at Brymbo Methodist Church for the last 80 years.

In recognition of her lifetime on the keys, Lillian was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a specially commissioned cake following a service at the church on Sunday, May 13.

It was 1938 when a then16-year-old Lillian was asked to take over the role from current organist Mr Jack Edwards, who had been called up to fight in World War Two.

She said: "I had only played once or twice in Sunday School before Reverend Jones asked me to take over, so I was very much a novice really.

"But I've been faithful to playing ever since then, apart from when I go on my holidays."

Lillian has no intention of stopping just yet and if she plays for another six months and goes on past that she will be in the Guinness Book of Records for playing the organ longer than anyone else.

She said: "As long as the Lord spares me, I want to keep playing until my time has come."

Lillian has seen much change since she began playing in 1938, with numbers of church goers constantly dwindling.

She added: "When I started playing, the church used to be packed out, but now we only get eight people attending each week and that's really sad."

Lillian lists 'One more step along the world I go' as her favourite hymn to play, which seems quite apt for this remarkable lady who lives on her own and is very independent.

Sylvia Meredith, the church steward said the presentation after the service was a complete surprise to Lillian, but she was delighted.

She said: "We had a beautiful cake and Reverend Richard Parkes presented Lillian with a special certificate to mark the 80 years.

"I'm 100 per cent confident she will break the record and she is too."

The organ themed cake was made locally by Lynda Hall and Lillian said she had never seen one like it in her life.