THE 'Elder Statesman' of St Helens has won a special salute from fellow councillors.

'Gentleman' Jim Caunce, MBE JP, who will complete 50 years in politics at the end of this month, was presented with an Edinburgh crystal grandfather clock marking his long service to the borough.

Council leader, Marie Rimmer led the tributes to Councillor Caunce, saying: "I feel very privileged indeed to congratulate the 'grandfather' of the council' on his 50 years as a councillor. He has been a deputy leader, chairman of all major committees and has represented the council on countless outside bodies. He is the only councillor to have been made mayor twice, in 1980 and 1992, and is a tremendous ambassador who is well respected and loved".

Councillor Suzanne Knight, representing the Liberal Democrats, said that Councillor Caunce's half-century of service was a major achievement and a landmark in his political career. She added that she was proud to know him as a councillor, as well as a friend.

And Conservative leader, Betty Lowe MBE, described him as well-respected and a gentleman who had always been a true community councillor.

Jim Caunce's political career began in 1951 when he was elected to the old Haydock District Urban Council. He went on to become Haydock's youngest-ever chairman in 1959 at the age of 40 and served again as chairman in 1967 and 1973.

He was also Haydock's representative on Lancashire County Council's education and libraries committee and served for many years as chairman of its housing committee.

Jim became Lancashire's youngest-ever JP in 1954, was a bench chairman from 1974 to 1978 and was the longest-serving member of the bench on his retirement in 1988.

After studying at Newton Technical College, he began work at Simon Vickers in Newton-le-Willows before moving to Triplex in 1964, where he worked until his retirement.

Jim married his wife Elsie in 1944 and the couple have three daughters, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

After receiving his surprise award, Councillor Caunce gave an anecdotal summary of his career highlights to an amused and packed council chamber, adding: "I wish I had known about this -- I could have written down a few more stories to tell".