A LONG-SERVING councillor has been named as an Honorary Alderman by St Helens Council.

Leon McGuire accepted the title at a meeting after council members voted to recognise his eminent service last year. Leon had represented Earlestown as a councillor for 25 years until his retirement in 2012.

Born in India, where his father was in the forces, Leon lived abroad for ten years but, returned to the UK when war broke out and went to school in Edinburgh where his father was stationed.

On leaving school at 14 he worked for London and North Eastern Railways at Edinburgh’s Haymarket station and then joined the Royal Artillery Boys Battery and was in the forces for 27 years.

After rising through the ranks to become battery sergeant major, he left the forces and settled down in Newton-le-Willows, marrying Margaret Thomas in 1955 with whom he had four sons.

Leon joined the civil service, working for the DHSS for 20 years, and was first elected to the council in 1987.

Council leader Barrie Grunewald said Leon’s award was “richly deserved”, adding: “Leon McGuire has always worked hard to represent vulnerable people. He is a man of great dignity and compassion.”

The meeting, on Wednesday, January 14, also saw Saints players in attendance as the team received appreciation from council members following their title-winning season last year.

The Super League Grand Final and League Leaders’ Shield trophies were on display on the night.