A COUNCILLOR who has represented a former mining community for more than 40 years has been honoured by the Queen.

Robin Todd, who was born and bred in South Hetton, worked as an electrician at the local colliery before becoming a district and parish councillor at the age of 23, in 1964.

Since that time, the now deputy leader of Easington District Council has worked tirelessly to serve the people of the one-time pit village.

He still lives in the village, with his wife, Sheila, and is fiercely proud of the long-time commitment he put into helping raise the cash to provide a modern community centre.

Sited on the land where the colliery buildings once stood, the all-purpose leisure facility, which was opened in 2002 by Tony Blair, has been named the Robin Todd Centre.

During his fundraising activities, Coun Todd became ill and underwent a heart transplant at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

After recovering from the surgery, Coun Todd, who has a son, Michael, and daughter, Julie, was quickly back on his patch, helping steer the community centre on to fruition.

A widely-respected politician, Coun Todd has held high office at the district authority as well as regionally and nationally, as chairman of the new town's division of the national Association of District Councils.

His devotion to duty has now seen him receive an MBE from the Queen at an investiture at Buckingham Palace.

"It was a very proud moment for me and my family,'' said Coun Todd.

"First and foremost I represent the people of South Hetton and hope to continue to do so for sometime into the future.''