SPRIGHTLY Ruby Green, who has just reached her 86th birthday, is a shining example to us all.

At her age, you would expect to find Ruby using Marlow's Age Concern service not providing it. But for around eight years she has been whizzing round the Glade Road kitchen rustling up hearty meals for the town's elderly population.

Not only does this octogenarian wonderwoman cook for 20 each week, but she has to manage on an £11 budget.

Add to this her morning strides on a recently purchased treadmill, regular spins on her exercise bike, her Scrabble prowess, green-fingered antics and DIY forays, it is a wonder she has time to grow any wrinkles.

But Ruby, of Marlow Bottom, is not a miracle worker and cannot continue on her own to cook at the centre each week. They need more hands on deck and anyone who can spare even just a day a month is urged to get in touch.

Ruby first stared washing dishes for the charity but as volunteers gradually slipped away she took on more and more responsibility.

She said: "If you had asked me ten years ago to do all this I would have said no way but easing into it gradually was no problem. It is extremely rewarding because they do appreciate it and that makes it very worthwhile.

"Also when you get old and live alone you can become a bit of a recluse. Coming down here I have made a lot of friends. It is so much better than sitting at home."

Ruby, who always tries to stick to fresh food, said the hardest part of the job was deciding what to cook.

So do celebrity chefs provide inspiration?

"Gary Rhodes is my favourite just because he is a bit of fun. I do sometimes get tips from them but I can't really follow their recipes because they are generally for three or four people, I'm cooking for 20," she said.

"The one I refer to occasionally would have to be Delia Smith. She is very good."

The morning I popped in gammon steak, carrots, swedes, cabbage, onion sauce, parsley sauce, and lemon meringue sponge were on the menu all fresh and all home-made.

Ruby, who hails from Peckham and moved to Marlow 26 years ago, said: "There is no set budget for cooking but I endeavour to keep the cost as low as possible. The most I have spent is £16 on roast lamb. I have brought up a family on a limited income so I have learnt to look for bargains."

Ruby's contribution to Age Concern is a rare thing not only in the hours, up to six a week, but also the fact that she cooks, a task few seem willing to take on.

Margaret Buck, co-ordinator at the centre, said: "She is great cook very popular. Her contribution over the years has been tremendous. It really has.

"We have noticed particular difficulty in attracting volunteers over the last two years, especially cooks. I have been doing this job for ten years now and in the early days we always had a steady stream of people.

"The cooking situation is serious now. Ruby took on the job each week four months ago. She was doing it fortnightly which is better for her. She has offered to help us out of this tight spot until we find someone to come in."

Ruby, a mother of four, grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of seven, said: "I hope this article does encourage a few more people to come forward and offer help. I think some people are possibly afraid of making a commitment but if they could give help just once a month, even that would help."

If you can help out at Age Concern call Margaret or Enid on (01628) 482883