SOME of Wigan Council's longest serving officers were summoned to the town hall and thanked for their endeavours.

The Engineering Services Department top brass welcomed back employees for a final toast at long service awards ceremony.

Among the recipients were Gary Wilkinson, from Leigh, who began work with Leigh Building Services (then the council's building department) in August 1971 as a plumber.

In 2000, he progressed to working as a chargehand in the offices, assisting managers with the organisation of work. Gary had a good attendance record and left the department last December.

Grandmother Barbara Cooksey, who has retired, was also presented with an award, started as a Hindley Green crossing patroller in 1975.

In 1990 she became a supervisor with Wigan's Road Safety Unit. When her role was combined with road safety assistant, she adapted well to the extra duties which included teaching primary school children in her area.

She lives with her husband, Philip, in Hindley Green.