THIS Is Your Life came to the Labour Party as comrades turned the tables on veteran Keighley politician and trade unionist John Prestage.

The Bradford councillor was presented with a long service award for more than 50 years' membership of the party.

The surprise ceremony came during a wine and cheese evening Mr Prestage had organised for Keighley North Labour Party.

Mr Prestage, 65, of Heaton Avenue, Sandbeds, told fellow members that when he first joined Labour he didn't realise how much friendship, pleasure, heartache and disappointment he would have.

He said his commitment to the wide Labour, Co-operative and trade union movement, and equality for all in every aspect of life, was as strong now as ever.

He added: "Being involved in politics has given me a broader education on life than any school or college could have given me."

Mr Prestage originally joined the Labour Party's League of Youth in his home town of Rugby, in 1948.

He has since held positions at all levels of the party, from local branch to Europe, as well as serving on the national executive of the Co-operative Party for 12 years.

Mr Prestage came to Keighley in the 1960s during his time as a full-time party organiser, and began a three-decade working career with Bradford council.

He was a West Yorkshire county councillor during the early 1980s and two years ago, following his retirement, became a Bradford councillor.

Mr Prestage is currently vice-chairman of Keighley Constitue-ncy Labour Party and his own branch, and is currently the regional secretary of the Co-operative Party.

He is also chairman of Grange Middle School governors, a member of Airedale Community Health Council, a long-serving director of Yorkshire Co-operatives and vice-chairman of Airedale/Bradford Crossroads Care Scheme.

Mr Prestage has got to know every party leader during the past 50 years, as well as international leaders like Willy Brandt, President Mitterand and Kenneth Kaunda.

He says: "It must be a sign of getting old, because these days I seem to personally know more members of the House of Lords than the House of Commons."

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