A GRIFFITHSTOWN woman has spent 80 years attending the same church.

When Muriel Briggs, now 94, was young she would walk down the street to Griffithstown Congregational Church with her parents.

Parishioners marked 80 years to the day Ms Briggs became a member last Sunday.

And no-one was more surprised by the milestone than Ms Briggs herself.

"I am overwhelmed, that’s the way to put it," the retired pharmacist said. "I didn’t even know those records still existed."

Born in 1917, Ms Briggs first attended as a toddler before then-minister Thomas Jones made her a member in 1931 aged 14. John and Winifred Briggs took their only daughter to the Sunday morning and evening service.

Still at the St Hilda’s Road house where she grew up, Ms Briggs still prefers walking to church over using her mobility scooter.

A deacon since 1950 and now assistant treasurer, she has also been a Sunday school teacher, a dedicated Bible studies group member and Women’s Guild president in her time.

Alongside this she also enjoyed a career with pharmacy chain Chalmers, which became Lloyds, working in stores including Pontypool, Chepstow and Usk before retiring aged 60.

Fellow members presented Ms Briggs with a certificate and flowers at a celebratory tea.

Minister Keith Lamb said: "I think it’s quite a singular achievement today for a person to be 80 years with one church."

Ms Briggs, who has no children and has never married, said the town around her has changed a lot since she started church but her faith has remained strong throughout.