A WOMAN who has worked for a charity that solves family disputes for more than 25 years, was honoured by her colleagues last night.

Jenny Bassett got the job at the Family Mediation Service in Swindon when it first started in 1981, and enjoys it so much she has stayed for a quarter of a century.

Jenny said: "When I started it was a small, new charity.

"I was in my 30s and my three boys were still at school. It has grown a lot since then, but I have enjoyed it all."

The charity, based in Milton Road, uses mediators to help families and neighbours resolve disagreements.

It also works with teenagers struggling to relate to their parents and runs counselling services and a supervised contact centre.

The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, John Bush, presented office administrator Jenny with her award at the charity's 25th anniversary celebration last night.

Jenny, now 64, said she was considering joining husband Fred in retirement.

"The inevitable has got to come at some point," she said.

"I have already cut down my hours, but it will leave a hole in my life when I go. "

Grandmother Jenny, of Walcot, said that although her job was in the office rather than working as a mediator, over the years she had picked up a lot of tips to help settle rows.

"I don't do the face-to-face work," she said.

"Luckily no0one in my immediate family has gone through a separation or divorce, and I have been happily married for 44 years, "But I do know people who have separated and I do what I can with the knowledge I have picked up."

As well as Jenny's thank you, Mr Bush, who is a patron of the charity, presented 10 newly-qualified community mediators with certificates at yesterday's event at the University of Bath in Swindon.

He said: "I want to congratulate everyone at Community Mediation on their achievement.

"This award shows that you provide a well-managed, professional, quality service.

"Anyone who uses a Quality Marked organisation can be assured that they will receive a high-class service."

The charity's director, Miranda Marsh, said the whole event had taken a lot of organisation, but she hoped that it would be a chance to thank everyone involved for all of their hard work.