A PARK bench is to be erected in tribute to an honourary alderman who died two years ago.

The memorial at the Westwell Street entrance of Westleigh Park for former councillor Anne Turnock will be unveiled by the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Lady Joy Smith at 11am next Friday.

Anne was a Leigh East councillor from 1996 to 2004 and served the Atherleigh ward for six years after that.

She died in May 2015 at the age of 74.

Former mayor of the Wigan borough Susan Loudon, who worked with Anne at Wigan Council, said: “She always wanted to do something for the park and had collected money before she died.

“We have used the funds she set aside to buy the bench, which is what she would have wanted.

“Anne was a very loyal person to her area. She loved Westleigh and did lots of work there.

"She knew everybody in the area and was a real asset to the ward.

“She would do anything for anyone and was dedicated to her family.”

Current mayor Ron Conway and councillors will attend the unveiling of the memorial.