Six former councillors have been granted the highest award that can be made to a former member of the council after at least 12 years of service.

In front of the full council, the Mayor of Kingston, Cllr Thay Thayalan presented the six former councillors with certificates granting them the status of “Honorary Alderman”.

They are former Mayor Geoff Austin, David Fraser, MBE, for 24 years service, Sheila Griffin Eric Humphrey, QPM, for 24 years service, former Mayor Shiraz Mirza for 20 years service, and former mayor Ken Smith, JP.

The title confers the right to have their name inscribed on the roll of Honorary Aldermen of the borough kept at Guildhall and wear the robes of an honorary alderman to civic occasions.

Kingston council leader, Cllr Liz Green, said: “This honorary status is a recognition of the time that these six people have spent serving the residents of this borough.

“I want to thank them and all the of the councillors who have served on this Council previously.

“All of us are elected to serve residents and we all do it with the best of intentions, all of the time, and that is across the political parties.”

She added: “We always want what is best. It is an honour for our former colleagues and an honour for this Council, to have them as part of Kingston’s Honorary Aldermen service.”