A Lancashire MP has told of the day she accidentally dropped a £500,000 diamond-encrusted civic insignia down a toilet bowl.
West Lancashire Labour MP Rosie Cooper recalled the moment of horrow when Liverpool's "Evening Jewel" badge of office fell from her neck and plunged into a toilet pan.
The admission came as Rosiu attended an offficial ceremony for her investature as an Honorary Alderman of the City of Liverpool at the town hall.
The Evening Jewel - a Liver Bird coat of arms set among 365 diamonds - is part of the city's civic reglia and worn by its Lord Mayor as an alternative to a gold chain of office.
Rosie recounted how the nightmare happened when she was attending a glittering event at a hotel during her year of office in 1992/93.
Said Rosie, 60: "The Evening Jewel is one of the most wonderful historic herlooms of the city and I was very proud to wear it during my time as Lord Mayor.
"It's impossible to fully describe my horror as I saw it fall into the toilet bowl.
"I really thought that it would be flushed down the pan and might be lost forever. I was imagining how I was going to explain this.
"But to my great relief I then saw it was sitting at the bottom of the u-bend.
"There was some discussion about who was going to get it out, but I was taking no chances.
"I just rolled-up my sleeve and plucked it out myself and thankfully it was not damaged. It was a lucky escape."
A former mayor of the city Rosie was first elected in 1973, at the age of 22, when she was the youngest female councillor in the country.
She gained a reputation as hard-working councillor in Broadgreen and then Allerton, first as a Liberal and Lib/Dem serving as mayor in 1992/3.
In April 1999 she switched her allegiance to Labour and a year later she stepped-down from the council but remained active in politics.
The daughter of deaf parents she has always been an advocate on behalf of the hearing impaired. She spent much of her professional career with the Littlewoods stores group.
After leaving the council Rosie remained active in politics and was elected in 2005 as West Lancashire MP and successfully defended the seat at last year's General Election.
Lord Mayor Frank Prendergast said: "Rosie made a huge contribution to the city during her lengthy period of service on the city council, and has been a distinguished servant of the people over many decades.
"I am delighted to be able to bestow this civic honour upon her, as it is richly deserved.”
Council leader Joe Anderson said: "Rosie Cooper has been a voice for people and she has been dedicated in her public service for 40 years, the majority of them on Liverpool City Council.
"She certainly built a fearsome reputation over the years motivated by one principle - to do what is right for the people she represents and to be on their side.
"I know that the excellent work she did for the people of Liverpool she continues to do today for the residents of West Lancashire. They are extremely lucky to have such a tough, committed MP who will fight for them and their priorities.
"It is only right that we acknowledge and honour the lifetime of commitment, hard work and dedication Rosie has given in public service. She has truly made a difference to so many people’s lives and continues to do so."
Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Paula Keaveney, said: "Rosie blazed a trail for women when she entered politics in Liverpool as the youngest female councillor in the country.
"When she entered politics it was a lot tougher for women to make their mark and it’s a tribute to her determination that she did just that."
Rosie said: "It has always been my honour and privilege to the serve the communities in Liverpool and now in West Lancashire who have elected me to be their representative, to fight their corner.
"I would like to thank Joe Anderson, leader of Liverpool City Council, and the council members for generously awarding me an Honorary Alderman of the City of Liverpool.
"I also thank my parents who in their disability instilled in me the public service values which drive me today and all the people that have worked alongside me and provided me with help, support and guidance."
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