THREE long-serving district councillors have been honoured for their public service.

And at the same ceremony, two members of Richmondshire District Council's staff were recognised for their outstanding contributions.

Grace Buckle, Katherine Carr and Sylvia Golding gave up their membership of the council earlier this year and have become honorary aldermen.

Born and brought up in North Yorkshire, Grace Buckle spent many years travelling around the country before settling in Richmond 23 years ago.

A teacher, she was first elected to Richmondshire District Council in 1983.

Born and educated in Richmond, Katherine Carr returned to the area after qualifying as a teacher. She entered local politics in 1966, and following local government reorganisation in 1974, was one of the original members of the new district council.

Having lived in the area all her life, Sylvia Golding has held a variety of jobs. She has worked in shops, a cinema and schools, and was the first home-help in the sheltered scheme at Gilling West. She was first elected to the council in 1983.

Two council employees were also honoured for their outstanding contributions at work, when they received Excellence in Performance Awards.

Denise Cowey has been the "face of the council" at Leyburn since 1995, working first at Thornborough Hall and more recently at the authority's community office.

Also honoured was Alison Baines, who joined the council earlier this year following the restructuring of the central administration, and has since become central to the smooth running of the finance unit.