MORE congratulations are in order this week - this time for Wigan Council Leader, Peter Smith.

He has become Leigh's own Red Baron.

Peter, a Leigh councillor who lives on the Leigh-Atherton border, is one of 22 new Labour working peers, honoured by PM Tony Blair, who he hopes will be regular attenders in the upper house.

The former lecturer was voted onto the council 21 years ago and worked his way up to become leader in 1991.

He quickly realised his political ambitions, but a peerage must have been beyond his wildest dreams.

The title Lady Smith for wife, Joy, must at least make up for the hours she has spent as a council widow.

Well done, M'Lud.

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