A COUPLE who devoted most of their lives to serving the people of Redbridge have been rewarded for their efforts with a prestigious political award.

Maureen and Richard Hoskins have been Mayor of Redbridge once each, stood for Parliament, led countless community campaigns and been a constant 'thorn in the side' of various ruling council administrations during more than four decades of political activism in the borough.

The pair, who have represented Church End ward as councillors for a combined total of over 40 years, were recognised for their service to their constituents by receiving the President's Award from the Liberal Democrat Party at there annual conference.

The Hoskins, who met at a party conference in 1962, are the first couple to be jointly awarded the prize, which is given out once a year to members who have demonstrated 'outstanding commitment and service' during their political careers.

Richard and Maureen, who have two children and two grandchildren, sit on the governing or advisory bodies of four Redbridge schools, Redbridge Drama Centre, Woodford Festival, Woodford Green Amenity Group and Redbridge Night Shelter - and are chairman and president of Chingford and Woodford Green Liberal Democrats.

Richard Hoskins, who has represented Church End ward as a councillor since 1990, said he has the same enthusiasm for politics now that he did as a young idealist in his native South Wales.

He said: "The best bit about the job is still just talking to people.

"It's a great feeling walking out of your house and seeing people everywhere that you know and can have a chat with.

"I chose to join the Liberal Party while doing national service in Aden.

"What was happening there felt like old style colonialism to me, and I felt the Liberal leader Jo Grimond was the only person telling the truth about it."

The 71 year-old said he had enjoyed more highs than he could remember since moving to the area with Maureen in the early 60s - from standing against Norman Tebbit in Chingford in 1983, to campaigning successfully to get the A406 flyover in South Woodford High Road widened for easier pedestrian use.

He memorably sat on the panel which first selected Paddy Ashdown to stand as a Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Yeovil during the 1970s.

He said: "It's certainly been eventful.

"Maureen was the only Lib Dem on the council when she started, and now there's 13 of us."

Maureen, 73, who represented Church End as a councillor from 1961 to 65 and then from 1986 to 2006, said: "We are both very honoured to receive the award.

"I grew up in this area and it has always been important to me."