A pensioner who is fast becoming renowned in Oxford for her tireless campaigning for Palestinians in Israel was thrown a surprise party to mark her work -- and her 71st birthday.

Judith Dawes, of Blackbird Leys, has for years carried a fold-up table and an armful of leaflets explaining the situation in Israel to anyone who would stop and listen.

The Palestinian community of Oxford gathered to say thank you with a surprise party at the city's Asian Cultural Centre in Cowley Road.

Members of the London Palestine Solidarity group attended. and awarded Ms Dawes lifetime membership of the group in recognition of her campaigning. The party was also attended by members of her church, the Holy Family Church in Blackbird Leys, the Oxford Palestine Solidarity group and family and friends.

Ms Dawes said she was delighted by the surprise party and would carry on campaigning to raise awareness of the plight of Palestinians in Israel.

She said: "I didn't know about the party, they all kept it very quiet. I was really delighted. I was even given a cake made by a 13-year-old Palestinian girl."