A LONG-SERVING councillor who has dedicated his life to his community was granted a rare honour at an official ceremony last night (Wednesday, April 22).

Labour's Councillor Bob Fleming was made an Honorary Freeman of Newton Aycliffe during a meeting of Great Aycliffe Town Council in front of fellow councillors and his friends and family.

The former teacher who has served as a town and district councillor for almost 30 years is only the third person to receive the accolade, which recognises long service and outstanding achievement.

Councillors unanimously backed the nomination by Councillor Arun Chandran last January.

Cllr Fleming, who moved to Newton Aycliffe in 1959, said: “The achievements Arun has listed could not have been achieved by one person. “They were achieved by us all. When I think back to the early days of the new town and to what we have now it is all down to us working together as a team.”