Redcar and Cleveland mayor Vilma Collins is to be honoured by the Merchant Navy Association today.
She is welcoming members from the association's Dormanstown and Redcar branch into the mayor's parlour at Eston Town Hall to receive the branch's very first honorary life membership.
It will be a poignant occasion for Councillor Collins, whose late husband, Terry, a former councillor and borough mayor, served in both the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy.
She said: "I am quite overwhelmed, really, and very honoured. I have always tried to give them as much support as I possibly can, but they've supported me on many occasions over the past years."
She will be presented with a certificate of appreciation from the association, and members will make a donation to the mayor's fund.
Branch president Ken Parker said: "We wanted to mark Councillor Collins' year as mayor with something special. She's always been an invaluable help to the branch."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article