LEIGH MP Lawrence Cunliffe was last night made an honorary alderman of the Borough of Bolton.

He was a councillor on the former Farnworth Borough Council from 1961 to 1974 and after local government re-organisation, he was on Bolton Council from 1973-80.

He was not able to be at the Bolton Council meeting where the honour was awarded because he was in Strasbourg.

But Labour Cllr Guy Harkin in proposing the honour spoke of Mr Cunliffe's "long and distinguished service."

Tory Cllr John Hanscomb remembered that he was "less than thrilled" when Farnworth was forced to join with Bolton Council.

But nevertheless, he worked "extremely hard" as a Bolton councillor.

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