FORMER councillor Frank Hartley will become the first Freeman of Pendle borough at a meeting on Thursday.
The former mill worker from Nelson served on the council for 45 years before standing down last year.
The Labour stalwart had an unbroken record of service with the former Nelson and latterly Pendle councils.
Mr Hartley, 71, will attend a special meeting of Pendle Council on Thursday when he will receive the honorary freedom of the borough.
Pendle has bestowed no freedom honours on individuals since the council was formed in 1974 but it did give the freedom to the Queen's Lancashire Regiment last year.
It's predecessor Nelson did bestow freemanships on cricket legend Sir Learie Constantine and education pioneer Sir Andrew Smith.
The former Mayor won his seat in a by-election in Southfield in 1954 and retained it until his retirement.
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