DIGNITARIES rolled up their sleeves and pulled on their aprons to serve up food for more than a hundred of Wycombe’s oldest residents.

117 of the district’s veterans – with an average age of 89 - were treated to a lavish lunch and entertainment from The Risborough Youth Orchestra during the 102nd annual High Wycombe Guarantors party.

Wycombe MP Steve Baker, Mayor of High Wycombe Cllr Chaudhary Ditta and Chairman of Wycombe District Council Cllr Iain McInnis were among those who swapped politics for party hosting at the event at Adams Park.

The Guarantors, a group of working and retired business men, were formed in 1910 and have hosted an annual party for the elderly ever since.

Cllr McEnnis said: “It was a marvellous occasion. My wife and I went along to help out and thoroughly enjoyed it.

“We were all working hard that day to ensure they all had a good time. It is great fun and also very humbling and satisfying.

“It’s just one of the great aspects of Wycombe. The Guarantors didn’t need to do this event 102 years ago but charity brings out the best in people and we saw that again this year.”

Guarantors secretary John Broom Smith said last Thursday's event went “very well” and praised the town’s dignitaries for helping out.

The oldest ladies - Cilla Collier and Agnes Worley, both 92 - and oldest gentleman, 101-year-old Ernest Howes, at the event were all presented gifts.