A WELL-known city character who sat outside the Butter Market for years has been celebrated for her years of service to the Salvation Army.

May Goode, 95, was a regular and welcome sight outside the doors of the market in High Town.

She sold the Salvation Army newspaper and collected donations for the church and charity.

And although she has had to take a break from her duties, she hopes to return in the summer.

A certificate from the Salvation Army headquarters was presented to Mrs Goode by Major Pamela Johnson this month for her long service and, in particular, for collecting funds for the Salvation Army in Hereford.

During the same service, stallholders and friends from the Butter Market presented a birthday cake in the shape of a Salvation Army bonnet made for Mrs Goode as she was celebrating her 95th birthday.

Mrs Goode has been serving the community in Hereford for more than 20 years.

She has spent every day, up until last year after suffering from ill health, sitting in the entrance to the Butter Market.

She was such a regular feature that if she wasn't there on one occasion, the community would all be asking after her.

Mrs Goode always ended every conversation with 'God bless you, my love'.

'I do it for the Lord' is always May's reply, when asked why she does it.

Earlier this year, in the presence of the Countess of Wessex, Mrs Goode was presented with a medal for her work as a munitions worker and was one of the Canary Girls.

Melanie Page from the Hereford Salvation Army Corps said: "Mrs Goode would love to return to her collecting days again and often asks the major if she can go out again. Watch this space, once the summer is here, Mrs Goode may well be back in town."