Two councillors were honoured by Newham Council after clocking up 55 years of service between them.

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales paid his respects during the Annual Council Meeting to Cllr Conor McAuley who has represented Forest Gate ward for 20 years and has since served Custom House ward for 10 years.

Elected to the council in 1982, the executive member for regeneration and strategic planning has overseen the transformation of Newham’s transport infrastructure, the arrival of London City Airport, Stratford International Station, Docklands Light Railway, the extension of the Jubilee Line to Stratford, and the ongoing campaign to secure International Rail Services at Stratford International.

Cllr McAuley was presented with two framed aerial photographs of Custom House from the 1980s and 2010.

Also honoured at the meeting was Cllr Alec Kellaway, the executive member for business and skills, who has served Beckton ward since 1987.

The Mayor noted Cllr Kellaway’s accomplished character including a degree from Oxford University, an MBa and PhD, and his contribution playing the organ at St Mark’s Church in Beckton.

Cllr Kellaway was presented with a framed print of Beckton Gas Works in the early 1900s.