THE Brownie Guide motto is "be prepared" but Brown Owl Anne Halliwell was anything but prepared for the surprise that greeted her at her final brownie meeting.

A hundred guests were crammed into the New Methodist Church, Darwen, to mark her retirement with a surprise party.

It was organised by the Brownie Guide Association to celebrate Anne's retirement after nearly three decades.

Anne, of Sunnyhurst, Darwen, set up the 23rd New Methodist Brownies with Annette Sultana, nee Mellor, 28 years ago and has organised a whole host of events over the years, including annual concerts, games and events.

She has been responsible for looking after hundreds of brownies including her own daughter Suzanne and six of her grandchildren. Olivia Halliwell, seven, is one of her current members.

Other members of the Halliwell clan have been drafted in to help, including Anne's daughter Kath who went on to run the guides group at the church.

Organisers kept the surprise a secret until the last minute. They claimed to be holding a meeting in the back of the church when they were secretly laying the table for the party and shepherding in guests, which included family, friends and brownies past and present. Anne will not be handing in her woggle just yet as she will go on helping out the new Brown Owl, Tracy Aldred. Anne has been given a new title thought up by her current brownies -- she is to be a Wise Owl!

Anne said: "I had no idea. I couldn't speak and I lost my appetite, but it was a really lovely surprise.

"I got some beautiful presents and cards."

The brownies are now helping to organise a church service on July 1 when awards will be given out. It starts at 10.30am and everybody is welcome to attend.

The new Brown Owl is Tracy Aldred.