AN Atherton man became Wigan Council's latest Alderman yesterday.

The prestigious honour was handed to loyal councillor Jack Sumner, who has clocked up a total of 37 years of public service since being elected to serve on the Atherton Urban District Council in 1962.

It will make him the council's eleventh living Alderman and comes after years of hard work in the Atherton area.

Cllr Sumner represented Atherton's North Ward for 12 years before being elected to the Atherton Ward of Wigan Council in 1974 - a role he has continued until the present day.

During his time on the council he has been a chairman of numerous committees including the employment and productivity committee, the education sub-committee and the youth advisory committee.

He was also chairman of Atherton Council on two occasions and he was the chairman of governors at Atherton Two Porches Special School, Tyldesley Highfield School and Parklee Primary School.

The former mayor of Wigan was also a member of the governing body of Hesketh Fletcher CE High School and vice-chairman and president of the Leigh Constituency Labour Party.

In the past Aldermen had political power and were the elder statesmen of local government but now the position is entirely honorary.

Cllr Sumner received a framed scroll embossed with the council's seal and a citation recognising his distinguished service to the borough.

Marie Pendleton, who has served Wigan for 22 years, was also honoured at the meeting.

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