A PROMINENT councillor has been hailed by his colleagues for a quarter of a century’s service in a parish.

Hambleton District Council leader Coun Mark Robson was thanked for his “outstanding contribution” towards Sowerby Parish Council at a meeting of the authority.

The parish council’s chairman, Councillor Bill Austin, said: “Mark has been totally committed, working extremely hard to ensure that the village, its facilities and wellbeing of its residents are improved.”

Coun Robson, who was born in the village, said when he started on the council, aged 24, the major issues had related to whether FD Todds hauliers should be sited on the current Thirsk Auction Mart site and over a potential Gypsy site at the Thirkon roundabout.

He said: “There have been a lot of changes and developments over the past 25 years, but have many of the same problems, such as dog fouling and litter.

“I have certainly enjoyed it and have no intention of giving it up.

“It would be nice to think I can do another 25 years.”