A COUNCILLOR who has served a Blackburn community for 45 years is be awarded the borough's civic medal.

Coun Frank Gorton, currently a councillor for Little Harwood, will receive the honour at a special ceremony later this year.

Leaders of all three political parties on Blackburn with Darwen Council decided to honour the 80-year-old after realising he had served the area for nearly half a century.

The civic medal was first awarded in April 1953 when the old Blackburn County Borough Council decided it needed a gong to present to people who have given outstanding service to the town.

It was last awarded in 1995 to Blackburn Rovers for winning the Premiership title and to former prisoner of war Bill Griffiths MBE.

Council leader Kate Hollern said: "I cannot think of anyone who deserves the honour more than Frank.

"He has been a wonderful servant to all those he has represented in this council chamber and has always remained true to his beliefs.

"I am delighted to be able to nominate him for this award."

Conservative group leader Coun Colin Rigby said: "Frank is a wonderful man to deal with and someone who thinks nothing of putting himself out for others."

Coun Paul Browne, leader of the Lib Dems, said: "I have worked with Frank for a long time but we didn't realise he had been here for so long.

"He thoroughly deserves his award."

Frank, who spent much of his working life in different jobs at Queen's Park Hospital after serving with the British Army in India during the Second World War, said: "It is a nice gesture on behalf of the council.

"I've had a lot of satisfaction during the past 45 years from being in a position to help people from across the borough."

Coun Gorton first stood for council in June 1960 at a by-election in what was known then as the St Jude's ward.

It later became Greenbank ward and more recently, part of the area was transferred to the Little Harwood ward.

He is currently deputy chairman of Blackburn with Darwen's planning and highways committee.

During his time on the council, he has also served on various bodies governing health matters in Lancashire, and on the borough's transport authorities.

In May 1980, he became Mayor of the borough for a year, and described it as "a great honour to service the people of the town".

Throughout his year as Mayor, he campaigned for more jobs to come to the area, and remembers meeting Princess Anne.