Dedicated Guide leader Mary Ponton has died aged 77, after a battle with cancer.

Born in 1925, Mrs Ponton spent her childhood in Rugby, and as a teenager moved with her family to London, where she attended Wembley Girls Grammar School and secretarial college.

In 1944 she joined the Wrens as a signals decoder, and met her future husband Ken the following year.

The couple were married in 1948, had three daughters, and moved to Wantage in 1963.

In 1965 Mrs Ponton joined 4th Wantage Brownie Pack, and later started the 5th Wantage pack, where she stayed until her retirement in 1990.

Friend Kathleen Hawkey said: "She was a dedicated Brownie Guider, who gave generously of her time."

As well as running her pack, Mrs Ponton was assistant commissioner, then district commissioner for Wantage East and Division pack holiday adviser.