SIX former York councillors have received one of the highest honours the city can bestow for their service.

The ex-members of City of York Council, who each served on the authority for more than 20 years, were officially presented with the title of Honorary Alderman last night at a Mansion House ceremony. Steve and Susan Galloway, Madeleine Kirk, Jonathan Morley, Richard Watson and Irene Waudby each received certificates and signed the roll of Honorary Aldermen.

The group include three former Lord Mayors and one former Sheriff, with those considered for the honour needing to have at least two decades of service on the council.

The current Lord Mayor of York, Coun Keith Hyman, said: “Serving the city for such a length of time is an amazing achievement and I’m extremely honoured to officiate at the ceremony to commend them for that.”