TWO former mayors of Sedgefield, John Robinson and Derrick Lofthouse, were honoured at the borough council's wine and cheese reception, in Sedgefield Parish Hall after the annual civic carol service in the methodist church.

Councillor Robinson was made honorary burgess and Mr Lofthouse was named Citizen of the Year.

Mayor Councillor Linda Maddison, in making the awards, spoke highly of the services to the community of both men.

She said that Mr Robinson became a councillor at the age of 21, when he was one of the youngest in the county.

Mr Robinson also founded the local history group and has been involved in many other organisations, including Sedgefield Charities and the civic trust, as well as serving as a magistrate.

In presenting the award to Mr Lofthouse, she told the gathering that he was a former town councillor who had devoted much time to the parish hall and the sports hall at the community college.

He had also supported St Edmund's Church, serving on the parochial church council for 40 years, and was secretary of the church's restoration fund, which had raised more than £250,000 in five years.

The Reverend John Bowers conducted the civic carol service in Sedgefield Methodist Church,which was followed by the wine and cheese reception.

The service and reception were attended by many representatives of neighbouring authorities and local organisations.

The church collection and a raffle raised £360, and the mayor made a donation of £90 to the church.

The remainder of the money raised was given to the Alzheimer's disease charity and local elderly welfare.