THEY have kept magistrates, lawyers and defendants fed and watered for years - but now members of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service are to disappear from some of Gwent's courts.

The Gwent Magistrates' Courts committee has decided to install vending machines in all the East Gwent courts to replace the service provided by the WRVS.

And this week there were tributes as WRVS stalwart Doreen Lane served her last cup of tea to users of Abergavenny magistrates' court.

Mrs Lane has provided the service at Abergavenny for the past 24 years, 21 of them as organiser on behalf of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service.

Lyn Harding, the head of courts administration for Gwent MCC, said: "Because of the shortage of volunteers for the WRVS, they were not able to fully meet our needs.

"It is with some sadness that after 24 years' association with the WRVS we have come full circle and have been driven to conclude that the provision of vending machines is the best way to ensure that court users have access to refreshments at all reasonable times when the court is open.

"I would like to pay tribute to the sterling work done by the WRVS over the years and particularly to Mrs Doreen Lane who has underpinned the service at Abergavenny."

On Mrs Lane's last day, tributes were paid to the service, and to Mrs Lane in particular, by magistrates, the court clerk and solicitors.

Chairman of the bench Mrs Ruth Bolter said: "We can't truly find words to thank you and your colleagues for your special presence here.

"You're a very special person and it's a very special service you have provided. We are very sad that this is the last day of the WRVS service."

On behalf of the solicitors working for the Crown Prosecution Service John Williams paid his own tribute to Mrs Lane. "A vending machine cannot replace the good humour and personal touch offered by the WRVS service."

Mrs Lane has been a member of the WRVS for 42 years, and started with the service preparing Meals on Wheels for Abergavenny people.

She was also one of the first volunteers to man the WRVS shop when it opened in Nevill Hall Hospital, a task she still enjoys, helped by her husband George, a retired magistrate who is also a member of the WRVS.