SCHOOLGIRL Lynn Bentley marched to Fenton Town Hall at the age of 10 to protest against children being banned from the city's 50th anniversary exhibitions.

And half-a-century on her fighting spirt and contribution to the community has seen her nominated to attend a celebration dinner marking 100 years since the federation of the six towns.

The 60-year-old, who grew up in Fenton but now lives in Alton, was put forward by her friend of 40 years Jane Moore.

And she is now in the running to be one of 50 deserving people chosen to attend the special dinner in March.

Lynn said: "I am thrilled to bits to be nominated.

"All the town halls had exhibitions and displays for the 50th anniversary celebrations

"But after two little boys knocked over a table and broke an item at the exhibition in Fenton Town Hall children were banned from visiting without a parent.

"We didn't think that was fair at all, so I led a little march of children to the town hall to protest. We didn't win, but that was my only failure in a campaign."

Lynn added: "These days I will get involved in anything to do with preserving the countryside, buildings and our heritage.

"I just cannot resist a good cause – I have never been able to."

Lynn has worked in the pottery industry all her life as a paintress for various firms.

And it was while she was employed at Crown Staffordshire in Fenton in 1971 Fenton that she first met Jane.

Lynn now works as a self-employed paintress, hand-painting Carltonware figures and souvenir pottery which is sold in tourist information centres across Staffordshire.

She also volunteers her skills to raise funds towards the restoration of Hanley's Bethesda Chapel, producing commemorative ceramics for sale.

And, as a member of the Railway Promotion Group, which fights for rail improvements across North Staffordshire, she played a major part in the reopening of Stone Station in December 2008 after it had stood empty for five years.

Lynn was also a member of the Longton Town Hall Action Group which campaigned to save the building from closure between 1986 to 1992.

This is the first time she has been recognised for her work and she said that, if chosen, she would take Jane along as her guest.

The 53-year-old, who lives in Shropshire, said: "I think Lynn is a very worthy nominee and a very proud Potter.

"For most of the 40-odd years I have known her she has worked tirelessly to honour her home city.

"She works hard as a volunteer and committee member of the Bethesda Chapel and has a real love of local heritage and architecture.

"She has also been a member of the Potteries Heritage Society since it formed 25 years ago."

Wednesday, March 31, is the centenary of the federation of the six towns in 1910, which created the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

A host of events are planned to take place across the centenary year, including the celebration dinner at Kings Hall, Stoke, which will be hosted by Lord Mayor Councillor Jean Bowers.

The Sentinel

is asking readers to nominate 50 people who have contributed to the city who they think should be invited to the dinner. To nominate someone for

The Sentinel

100, log on to www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/sentinel100 or write, outlining your nomination to: The Sentinel 100, Sentinel House, Forge Lane, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 5SS.