A TROPHY to be presented for the first time this year will be named after Dunbar’s long-serving community council chairman.

Stephen Bunyan, who has been chairman of the group for more than 30 years, will give his name to the new prize, which is set to reward a team or group – based in Dunbar but which may have members from outside the town – who have achieved success.

The new prize was revealed at the group’s latest meeting.

Mr Bunyan, who was surprised by the announcement, gave his blessing to his name being given to the trophy, which he described as “a rather pretty little cup”.

Speaking after the meeting, he said: “I was taken aback but I have to say I am honoured and pleased.”

Last October, Mr Bunyan, who has been a firm fixture of the community council since it was formed in 1976, announced his intention to step down from the role of chairman at the end of 2018.

It is a position he has held since 1982, save for a break between 1992 and 1996 when he was elected as a Conservative councillor on East Lothian District Council.

Mr Bunyan, who turns 85 this year, is one of only three people to have been chairman of the group, alongside David Bertram – the first community council chairman – and Dan Cairney, who was chairman while Mr Bunyan was a councillor.

George Robertson, the group’s vice-chairman, felt it was a fitting tribute to his colleague, who was awarded an MBE in 2015 for his voluntary work in the county.

He said: “Given Stephen is in his final year as chairman, we felt this was an appropriate gesture.”

The introduction of the new prize comes after discussions regarding entry criteria for the existing Community Council Award and Bowe Cup.

The Bowe Cup is awarded to a young person for a special achievement or for exceptional contribution to the community. Meanwhile, the Community Council Award is for an older person who has played a major role in the community.

Mr Robertson offered a solution to the problem of whether a group with members from outside the town could be eligible for either award by proposing the new award, which will likely be known as the Stephen Bunyan Cup or Stephen Bunyan Trophy.

Coincidentally the trophy, which will have a plinth fitted to it before the annual awards in June, was created in 1933 – the same year Mr Bunyan was born.

Community councillor Pippa Swan had discovered the cup during an online search, although it is unclear who it was previously awarded to or for what achievement.