TWO former Mayors of Bolton were last night made honorary aldermen of the borough.

Long-serving former Tory councillors Ernie Crook and Geoff Smith received their honour at a full council meeting from the present Mayor Cllr Alan Rushton.

Both men were councillors for 28 years before being defeated in last May's local elections.

Councillors paid tribute to their service before last night's Bolton Council meeting.

Labour councillor Martin Donaghy said Mr Crook, of South Drive, Harwood had a "long and distinguished" council career. His former Bradshaw ward colleague Cllr Walter Hall added: "He is by nature a quiet and reserved type of person.

"But he was a tireless worker behind the scenes."

Mr Crook was Mayor in 1992-93 and tribute was paid to the work he did raising money during his year of office for the Leukaemia Research Fund.

Mr Smith, of Winslow Road, Hunger Hill, was Mayor in 1990-91 and his abseil down the town hall to raise money for the Bolton Outward Bound organisation was one of the highlights of his year of office.

Labour Cllr Jack Foster said: "His fund-raising was legendary. He must have raised about £30,000 during his year in office." His Hulton Park ward colleague Tory Cllr Colin Higson added: "He fought strongly against both the Garnet and Lomax opencast mine schemes."

Meanwhile, as reported in last night's BEN, Blackrod Labour Cllr Eric Johnson was confirmed as the next Mayor of Bolton.

He will take over from the present Mayor Cllr Alan Rushton in May.

Tory leader Cllr Norman Critchley described him as "a man of integrity, a man who has faithfully represented the people of Blackrod and who has worked tremendously hard for the people of Bolton." His ward colleague Labour Cllr John Monaghan added: "His heart and soul is in local democracy."

The Mayor also congratulated Breightmet Labour Cllr Campbell Benjamin on his recent OBE.

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