Years of dedication to Sandwich and its many groups has earned former town councillor Dick Perry the Mayor's Civic Award.

The surprise and deserving accolade was announced at the Mayor's Cocktail Party at the Guildhall by mayor Cllr Jeremy Watts, who handed him a medal.

Mr Perry, of Knightrider Street, said: "The reaction of people seemed to be very positive. My own was one of astonishment."

Having joined the town council sixteen years ago, he helped form the town's Liberal Democrat Group. He fought to stop Saturday closures at the library and helped form the Library Guild in the early 1990s.

But his most recent success is helping save residential home Wayfarer's from being sold.

After the second county council scare generated a campaign by the Friends of Wayfarer's, of which Mr Perry is chairman, the good news not to sell has jsut been announced.

* For full story see the East Kent Mercury, May 3.