THE longest-serving member of Bury Council was among those honoured with the highest possible award from the local authority.

Alan Matthews, dubbed the 'father of the council', represented Besses Ward for 38 years.

The 74-year-old sat on Bury Council between 1979 until May this year, when he retired due to ill health.

His priority was to serve the people of Besses, while also stepping into the role as mayor in1989/90 with wife Betty as mayoress.

At the time of his retirement, council leader Cllr Rishi Shori described Mr Matthews as a "hugely respected figure in local politics."

He was also Bury's representative on the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority for 27 years.

Cllr Mary Whitby, who represents Besses ward, moved the proposition to grant Mr Matthews the Freedom of the Borough title.

Mr Matthews began his working life as a member of the armed forces. He then became a welder, before working at Chadderton-based engineering firm Avro.

Cllr Whitby said: "While based in Germany, he took a book out of the library, in which he found a piece of paper with an address on it. He began writing to a woman called Betty who lived in Liverpool, and they are still married today.

"When he was elected, Besses was Tory-dominated but now, largely due to Alan's work, it is considered one of the strongest Labour wards."

Mr Matthews was chair of the planning committee for eight years and has also served as a governor at Ribble Drive Community Primary School for 42 years.

Cllr Whitby added: "Alan is immensely well liked and would go out of his way to help others."

Bury Council said they bestowed Mr Matthews with the title "in recognition of the eminent, valuable and devoted services which he has rendered to the Bury Metropolitan Borough as a member of the council for 38 years and in recognition of the service he has provided the residents of Besses ward with distinction and dedication including holding the office of Mayor of the Borough from May 1989 to May 1990."