The title of Honorary Alderman has been awarded to former Councillor Harold Parker.

Parker resigned from representing the Fishwick ward in August 2009, triggering a by-election, and has now retired from political life. Preston City Council has decided to bestow the title on Parker.

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First elected to the County Borough Council (as it was then) in 1965, Parker has spent 44 years serving the people of Preston and has taken on roles including Leader of the Council (1982-1992), Mayor of Preston (1976-77) and Guild Mayor (1992-93).

The title of Honorary Alderman is given to someone who the Council feels has made an important contribution to Preston, only 17 former members of Preston City Council since 1974 have been awarded the title.

Parker was also awarded freedom of the city as part of a Guild Burgess that was awarded in 1992, recognising his contribution to civic life in the city.

Councillor Keith Sedgewick, Mayor of Preston, said:

Councillor Parker has been an important figure for Preston City Council and we are very sorry to see him retire. Whilst his hard work has certainly been celebrated over the years, we are extremely pleased to be able to grant him the title of Honorary Alderman as another way of recognising everything he has done for this city throughout his public life.

Other former councillors to receive the title of Honorary Alderman include: William Beckett, Joseph Holden, Ernest Bunker, Raymond Jones, Nancy Taylor, Mary Rawcliffe, Irene Black, Henry Richard Evans, Richard Atkinson, Ronald Ball, William Borrow, Dorothy Chaloner, Rose Kinsella, Geoffrey Swarbrick, Joseph Hood, Ian Hall and Marie Milne.