Tributes to long serving politician and former mayor

Former South Ribble Council leader Tony Kelly died after a short illness

Tributes have been paid to a former Lancashire mayor and council leader who has died.

Long serving South Ribble councillor Tony Kelly died on February 26 following a short battle with cancer. He was 85.

First elected in 1974, Mr Kelly represented the Lowerhouse ward in Leyland and the Seven Stars ward in Leyland.

After a 41 years as a councillor he stepped down ahead of the May 2015 local elections.

He served as Mayor of South Ribble from 1986 to 1987, and as leader of the council from 1995 to 1998.

He was also a Justice of the Peace, and in September 2010 was awarded the Freedom of the Borough.

Coun Paul Foster, Leader of South Ribble Council, said: “Tony Kelly was an incredible man who actually joined the council in the year of its inception: 1974.

“He went on to achieve more than 40 years’ service – an absolutely phenomenal achievement for a councillor.

“His commitment and dedication to the people of South Ribble is a wonderful legacy to leave behind and I want to pay tribute to everything he succeeded in doing for the borough and for his residents.

“In October 2014, Tony’s amazing loyalty and service was formally recognised by the Mayor of South Ribble at the time, Councillor Graham Walton, and a new award was established for South Ribble Borough Council elected members who have served for 32 years or more.