FOUR new citizens were officially welcomed into the United Kingdom during a ceremony in Alloa.

The quartet, who have all lived in Clacks for a number of years, some spanning decades, were officially granted citizenship at the Speirs Centre last week.

The ceremony, organised by district registrar Agnes Leighton, was held at the Alloa centre on Wednesday, July 31, and officially accepted Elona Vistyakova, Veronique Malcolm, Muqam Mahmood and Danielle Diamond as UK citizens.

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Elona, originally from Azerbaijan, has lived in the Wee County for 12 years, serving as a team leader in a pharmaceutical company in Stirling.

Veronique, hailing from the Central African Republic, has lived and worked in the UK for 41 years and was the head of procurement for the Scottish Parliament.

She retired from her position eight months ago and was joined at the ceremony by her husband.

Muqam was the longest UK resident at the ceremony, having lived in the country for 47 years, more than 30 of which were spent in Clacks.

He is now retired from his employment as a chef, which now allows him to spend more time with his three children.

Danielle is originally from the USA and lived in Norfolk and the Lake District before settling in Clacks with her husband and two sons.

The ceremony was attended by Lord-Lieutenant, Lt Col Johnny Stewart, who reflected fondly on an emotional day welcoming the UK’s newest citizens.

“It was the most wonderful ceremony,” he said. “They find it rather emotional and getting British citizenship is a big deal.

“It was a really nice ceremony and it was absolutely wonderful.”