SOME of Horwich's most valued residents are to be honoured for their services to the town.

Father Henry Jones, mountain rescuer Geoff Seddon and retiring town councillor Betty McCracken will all be rewarded.

Fr Jones and Mr Seddon are receiving Horwich Civic Awards as an acknowledgment of outstanding service for 20 years. Mrs McCracken will get a special civic award. Fr Jones, 59, has been at St Mary's Church for 18 years and has been an active member of the town's community. Born in Manchester, he started off his career at St Joseph's Church in Halliwell, where he stayed for 11 years. After spells in Blackburn and Salford, he returned to Bolton with St Mary's.

Mr Seddon has been a member of the Bolton Mountain Rescue for 34 years and is deputy team leader of the voluntary organisation. By day in the building trade, Mr Seddon, 52, said his most memorable rescue was more than ten years ago when he found a little boy, who had been missing overnight, in the Trough of Bowland.

Mrs McCracken retires as a Labour councillor in May, after serving on the old district council and then the town council for 24 years. A Bolton councillor for 16 years, she has lived in Horwich for about 60 years.

The leader of Horwich Town Council, Michael Kilcoyne, said: "We're very proud of Betty. She is an example of someone who gives selfless service and is a loyal member of the Labour Party and the council." Mrs McCracken, who is in her mid-80's, is renowned for campaigning to get better council housing for Horwich residents.