A FORMER councillor with more than 30 years of public service in Burnley and Padiham is set to be given one of the borough’s top civic honours.

Ex-councillor John Greenwood began his stint at the former Padiham Urban District Council in 1968 and was its last chairman before the local government re-organisation in 1974.

He went on to serve as planning committee chairman and mayor in 1993-94, before his retirement in 1999.

The 80-year-old, who represented Gawthorpe ward and still lives in Padiham, will be made an honorary alderman by the current mayor, Councillor Frank Cant, in a ceremony at Burnley Town Hall on Wednesday.

His family, former colleagues and friends will be on hand to see him presented with a special scroll by the mayor.

Mr Greenwood said: “I feel a bit humble as well as very proud to be presented with this honour.”

He is remembered with distinction by borough planners after serving for 22 years as chairman of the planning and highways committee.

His fondness for Burnley’s industrial heritage was renowned and he campaigned hard for the creation of the Weavers’ Triangle conservation area designation and preservation of Queen Street Mill in Harle Syke.

Later, he would welcome the first major regeneration award, of £19million, for the town and, in particular, the former cotton heartland.

And his role in the establishment of both the Network 65 and Rossendale Road industrial estates, and town centre pedestrianisation has been well-documented down the years.

He also played a key role in creating the network of town centre CCTV cameras in the mid-90s, making it one of the largest of its kind at the time.