Two dedicated school governors have been handed awards for their long service to a junior school.

Ray Howard, affectionately known as Mr Canvey on the island, has been a governor at Canvey Junior School, in Long Road, Canvey, for 52 years and a former chair of governors before he took up his role as a county councillor.

Lorraine Breading has served the school as a governor for 25 years and was also presented with a certificate for her many years of service.

The school hosted a special assembly which was attended by all the schoolchildren to award them with a long-service awards in recognition of his dedication.

Speaking after the presentation, Mr Howard said: “It’s a school that all my children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters have all gone to over the years.

“It means an awful lot to me and to my family.

“The school is fantastic and it is very highly thought of on the island.

“I am very proud of the school and highlight it wherever I can. I believe that the head and staff, chairman and governing body do a superb job and although I lead a very busy public life I do my best to support them because I believe the children deserve the best school we can provide.”

Canvey Junior School was opened in January 1938 as Long Road School and is one of the 10 schools which serves the community of Canvey.

Mr Howard, a former pupil of the school, became a governor in 1966 and was a former chair of governors before he became a county councillor in 1985.

He still serves Canvey as a borough councillor for Canvey West.

He stepped down from Essex County Council in May last year and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to Local Government and the community on Canvey.

Mr Howard, 75, added: “The assembly was a complete surprise and I was very appreciative of the way it was carried out.

“The whole school was involved and the presentation was conducted in front of all the children who were perfectly behaved.”

The school’s chair of governors Lorraine Breading was also awarded for 25 years of service to the school and was presented with a certificate from the county council.

Mrs Breading began firstly as a parent governor and latterly as a community governor and she is often seen around the school.

She gives her time to attend all the school’s regular concerts and events and has been able to use her expertise in training and assisting other governing bodies who have needed support from time to time

Speaking of her work, Mr Howard said: “Lorraine works extremely hard and is very dedicated to the school. It is an absolute pleasure to work with her.”