Ken Hudson served the city for decades

A former leader of Preston City Council and long-serving councillor is to be given the freedom of the city.

Former Preston Rural North councillor Ken Hudson was the man who joined the council in 1978 to represent its rural communities.

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He stayed on since then to serve as leader of the Conservative group and becoming council leader between 2007 and 2011.

An MBE has been bestowed on Ken and now he joins a list which includes 23 other Prestonians to be granted the freedom of the city.

Hudson was a big supporter and organiser of the Riversway Festival Pic: David Wilcox

The most recent was England cricket legend Andrew Flintoff in 2006.

He will be given the honour at the Town Hall at a special meeting of the city council on Thursday 21 August.

Councillor Eric Fazackerley, the current Tory leader, will propose the following motion on the day.

He will say” That, in pursuance of Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972, Mr Ken Hudson MBE, JP, is admitted to be an Honorary Freeman of the City in recognition of his 36 years’ service to the Council and the citizens of the City of Preston.”

Current leader of the council and leader of the Labour group, Peter Rankin, is expected to second the motion.

The service at the Town Hall starts at 11am and is followed by a full city council meeting.

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