A FORMER Whitchurch town and district councillor has been commemorated with the naming of a new road in the town.

Jean Mainwaring served Whitchurch Town Council and North Shropshire Council between 1987 and 2009 will give her name to Mainwaring Drive.

Current Shropshire councillor Peggy Mullock paid tribute to her.

She said: "Jean always said she wasn’t political; she served as an Independent, calling it the ‘The Peoples Party’. She was made an Honorary Alderman in March 2009 and worked hard to bring many benefits to Whitchurch. During her time at North Shropshire Jean was chair of many committees and headed industrial tribunals.

"Jean was much respected at NSDC as a councillor who knew the rules, regulations and standing orders and had no hesitation in correcting fellow councillors and officers when she felt it was needed.

"She started the practice of Friday surgeries once a month which councillors from the town and Shropshire Council still carry on with.

"Jean is delighted to have this road named after herself, as she says, the family – who suggested it should happen – will always be able to say ‘ that was our Aunty Jean that road was named after'.

"It was Jean who encouraged and inspired me to stand for Unitary as she retired but she has been a very hard act to follow."