THERE are calls for priority to be given to war veterans, and for residents aged 90 and over, when it comes to drawing up a guest list for a party in Ledbury to mark the Queen's 90th birthday.

Town Councillor, Tony Bradford, recently suggested that the party, for 90 guests only, should be much more inclusive, and not be restricted to older members of the community, which has been proposed.

But Ledbury pensioner, Joan Wilce, aged 90, of the Bromyard Road, believes the list should be more exclusive, with priority going to World War Two veterans, such as her husband Maurice, aged 94, who saw action at Monte Cassino, where he transported ammunition and provisions to the front.

Mrs Wilce said: "At Monte Cassino, they were bombing them every night.

"I think priority should be given to people on Ledbury who are 90 and over, and especially those who did war service. But we've heard nothing at all about this party. We didn't even know it was going to happen."

The town council's events committee is planning a tea party at Ledbury Community Hall, for Sunday, September 26, for 90 selected local residents aged 60 and above.

There will be music from the Ledbury Community Choir and "old time records" will be provided by the landlord of the Talbot, Andy Ward.

Local volunteer groups, residential homes and churches are being contacted to provide names for the party; but even with a limit of 90, the list is far from full at present.

Cllr Bob Barnes, a member of the events committee said: "We are not going to restrict the party to war veterans, because we don't think we would have enough people. But we should be able to accommodate everyone who has a wish to come."

Cllr Barnes added: "I can put Mr and Mrs Wilce's names down on the list."

At a recent meeting Ledbury's deputy mayor, Cllr Elaine Fieldhouse said the town council could not afford to open up the party to more than 90 people.

She said: "We could not afford to do it. It's just the symbolic nature of it.

"We don't mean to ostracise anyone."

The town council will provide a budget of £400, and a raffle could be held to raise funds.

Food donations for the event are to be sought from local businesses, including Tesco's.

The event will start at 3pm and end at 5pm.