A memorial bench has been unveiled in Prestonpans by friends and family of former council leader Willie Innes.

Mr Innes was one of East Lothian’s longest-serving councillors, having first served on the then district council before the move to the unitary authority on April 1, 1996.

Representing the Preston Seton Gosford ward, where he lived, he was appointed leader of the East Lothian Labour Group in 2007 and council leader five years later.

He passed away in October last year, at the age of 70, following a long battle with cancer.

The new bench has been commissioned by the Pennypit Trust, and chairperson Brian Weddell said it was “a quality memorial for a quality man”.

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The bench is situated opposite the main stand at the Pennypit, where Mr Innes would watch Preston Lodge Rugby Club each Saturday, with an inscription that reads: “Willie Innes – A man without a shred of personal ambition for himself yet his ambition for his community and those he served was without limit”.

Mr Innes was one of the founders of the Pennypit Trust, along with Pat O’Brien, and manager Angie Davie worked directly with both of them for the people of Prestonpans.

Angie said: “We miss Willie dearly and will never forget what he did for the Pennypit and the ’Pans.

“We have never known someone who worked as hard as him.

“Willie has left a lifelong legacy across East Lothian and particularly at the Pennypit Trust.”