LEOMINSTER-BASED writer Jen Green became only the second woman in 300 years to address the annual dinner of Ancient Society of Middlesex and Surrey Magistrates in London.

The first meeting and dinner took place at The Kings Arms, Palace Yard, Westminster, on May 26, 1780, when 15 Justices of the Peace met to found the society with the sole purpose of settling disputes between the counties of Middlesex and Surrey concerning the rebuilding of the bridge over the River Thames at Walton. Membership was set at 40 gentleman qualified by law to sit as Justices of the Peace.

Jen Green was invited to address the 782nd meeting, attended by 90 members and guests at The Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, on the legal implications of the trial of Mary Morgan, hanged in Presteigne in 1805 and the subject of her book The Morning of her Day.

Of her historic invitation she said: "I received the invitation 18 months ago from the this year's society president, Peter White, Chairman of the Guilford Circuit. It was a bit nerve-wracking to find myself up before the bench - or in this case the benches - on such a memorable occasion.

"I found myself chatting to Admiral Sir Peter Hanson, Captain of HMS Mercury when I was a mere Leading Wren."