A FORMER Leigh mayor, who retired from public life after almost 30 years' service, has been given a belated surprise by ward colleagues.

Ward friends of Alderman and ex-councillor Jimmy Jones invited him to a bit of a do at the Boundary and surprised him with a cash gift for his service to the community -- eight months after he stepped down.

Bedford and Astley colleague, Cllr John Lea, said: "We wanted to thank him for all the public service he has done, and it's better late than never."

Higher Folder Jimmy retired at the 2000 May elections to spend more time with his wife, Doris.

The couple have lived in the same Lowther Drive home since 1956 and Jimmy first won his seat on Leigh borough council in 1972.

He lost it in 1975 after local government reorganisation but won it back in 1979 and represented locals until last May. He was Mayor in 1987-8 when he visited Buckingham Palace and met the stars of Coronation Street on the original set.

Jimmy who is still involved in council work through his position as Alderman said: "We have a volume of happy memories."