Ex town and district councillor Mr Kirkwood, of New Road, Driffield, was handed a Merit Award certificate signed by the PM during a special ceremony at his home.

The East Yorkshire Constituency Labour Party prospective parliamentary candidate, Coun Paul Rounding, said that Mr Kirkwood had been given the well deserved award in recognition of his many years of active and important service for the party.

Mr Kirkwood served in the merchant navy throughout the war years and joined the Labour Party after developing an interest in politics.

He said: "Having married my wife Margaret, I came to live in Driffield and joined the local branch of the Labour Party. I have always had the interest of the Driffield people at heart and regard Driffield as my home town."

He was a founder member of the Driffield town council and has had the honour of serving twice as the town's mayor. He is also well known for his past hard work at district council level.