BRITAIN'S longest serving RSPCA volunteer is finally hanging up her collecting tin after 60 years on the front-line.

And this time, Farnworth stalwart Edna Lomax, who is 90 today, insists that she really is calling it a day.

She announced her retirement three years - but found that she couldn't give up her lifetime's devotion to animals and virtually carried on as before.

Now she has decided that her ninth decade is the right time to step down as auxiliary secretary at the Farnworth branch of the RSPCA.

But her friends from the animal welfare charity are not letting her go without a celebration party. And that takes place tonight at the Anglers' Club, Rishton Lane, Great Lever. The amazing pensioner has been a volunteer worker for the RSPCA since 1936 - long before many of today's volunteers were born. Over the years she has raised thousands of pounds for the charity with her tireless fundraising.

In 1993 Edna ill-health and failing eyesight forced her to make the announcement that that year's flag day in Farnworth was to be her last. But for the next three years she carried on working for her beloved charity in a host of other ways.

Her lifelong devotion to the charity has earned her the RSPCA's top award and an MBE from the Queen.

Bolton RSPCA secretary Kathy Kay paid tribute to Edna. "We will all miss her very much. She is a legend in her own lifetime.

"A lot of needy animals have a lot to thank her for," she said.

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