TRIBUTES have been paid to the first leader of Bury Council who was awarded the OBE and made an honorary freeman of the borough.

Albert Little, aged 96, died at sheltered accommodation in Holcombe Brook last Wednesday, He had a career in local politics spanning nearly 20 years, embracing Ramsbottom urban district council and the then newly-created Bury Metropolitan Borough Council from 1974.

He was council leader for a total of 11 years and served as a Ramsbottom ward councillor until 1986 and was the President of Ramsbottom Royal British Legion.

In June, 2010, Mr Little was made an honorary freeman at Bury town hall. Among family members attending the ceremony were daughters Gillian and Carol and his actor grandson, Ralf.

Mr Little was elected to Ramsbottom council in 1967 and became chairman in 1971. He was the first leader of Bury Council and held the office between 1974 and 1983 and from 1984 to 1986. He was mayor in 1983-84 and awarded the OBE in 1984.

The father-of-three, whose wife Marjorie died seven years ago, was born in Salford, served in the Royal Navy and became a teacher.

He was headteacher at St Mark’s in Bury and later at a school in Middleton. He served as a school governor for many years and one of his proudest achievements was being instrumental in the creation of Ramsbottom’s Woodhey High School.

His daughter, Gillian, said: “He only had thoughts of doing things for the betterment of Ramsbottom, Summerseat and Bury.”

Former Bury North MP Alistair Burt said: “I admired Albert Little. His life combined dedication to the teaching profession, to his wife and family and to serving his community through political life.”

Bury Council leader Cllr Mike Connolly said: “Albert served the people of Bury and, of course, Ramsbottom, with great dedication for nearly 20 years.”

*A funeral service will take place on Friday, May 18, at Bury Parish Church at 10.45am, followed by a private committal at the East Lancashire Crematorium in Radcliffe.