The 1st St Albans Girls Brigade marked its 90th anniversary with a thanksgiving service on Saturday.

About 100 people, including past and present members of the company, gathered at Hatfield Road Methodist Church to hear the service led by Rev Sarah Lowe.

The company was founded in March 1924 as the 1st St Albans Girls Life Brigade and later renamed in 1965 when the Girls’ Life Brigade became the Girls’ Brigade when it merged with Girls’ Guildery, Scotland, and Girls’ Brigade, Ireland.

During celebrations, the city’s mayor, Annie Brewster, met 83-year-old Sheila Fowler, one of the earliest members of the company.

Lesley Saunders, Captain of the 1st St Albans Girls’ Brigade Company, said: "We are very grateful to the mayor for sharing our 90th birthday celebrations and joining us in looking back over the years of achievement, service and fun. We also look forward to helping more young people reach their potential, living life to the full while enriching the communities they live in."

The Mayor of St Albans added: "I congratulate the 1st St Albans Girls Brigade on reaching its 90th anniversary milestone. It has been a tremendous privilege to meet so many St Albans Girls Brigade members from different decades and to hear about the fun they all had.

"Many of the ladies that I spoke to said their experience in the Brigade gave them some of the happiest moments in their lives. I wish the company and its members every success for the next 90 years."

To find out more about the 1st St Albans Girls Brigade contact Ms Saunders on 01727 862383 or lesleyjs50@hotmail.co.uk.