Sheltered housing warden Ithwen Evans (pictured) has won a national accolade for her dedicated work with the elderly.

For the past 17 years, Mrs Evans has been the warden at the Williams Court complex in Narberth - sharing both the happy and sad times of day-to-day life of the senior citizens there.

Her caring and friendly attitude led residents to nominate her for the Warden of the Year competition organised by the Yours senior citizens magazine.

She was one of over 450 wardens whose names were put forward, and was proud to travel to Bournemouth to receive her commemorative certificate from Claire Rayner at the two-day Yours Live event.

The magazine is campaigning for the retention of wardens in sheltered housing complexes - after proposals to replace them with 24-hour intercom systems - and 63-year-old Mrs Evans shares the view that nothing can replace that personal touch.

Her duties include overseeing the well-being of the residents and keeping an unobtrusive eye on them, as well as supervising the cleaning and maintenance of the property.

I love every aspect of my job, and I have a great relationship with all the tenants, she said. We are like one big happy family.

Williams Court, which is one of 18 complexes throughout West and South West Wales operated by the Dewi Sant Housing Association, has 32 flats and bedsits.

Its residents range in age from 65 to 95, and the majority are well over 80. Dewi Sants chief executive, Neil Hayward, described Mrs Evans as a marvellous lady.

This is a well-deserved recognition for the effort, commitment and caring of a dedicated officer who believes in providing the highest level of services to her residents at Williams Court, he said.

PICTURE: Western Telegraph.