More than half a century of service to the St Keverne parish was celebrated when Russell Peters stepped down as councillor after 54 years.

During this time Mr Peters has been chairman of the parish council on no less than five occasions.

Current chairman David Lambrick said: “Russell has put in a tremendous amount of work for our parish. We are going to greatly miss his experience and knowledge.

“It has been incredible what he has done and what he has achieved for the parish.”

In recognition of all that he has done, Mr Peters became the first recipient of a new community shield set up by the council, which has been called the Russell Peters Community Services Award.

This will not be an annual award and only be presented when truly deserved.

As a mark of their appreciation, the councillors themselves also presented Mr Peters with a gift, in the form of a painting of Porthallow where Mr Peters was born.

Paying tribute to Mr Peters, fellow long-serving councillor Derek Kevern said: “Three ‘exes’ for Russell – you’re an excellent councillor, an excellent builder and he was an excellent footballer.”

An emotional Mr Peters said he would “never have believed something of this magnitude” could be presented to him.

Looking back over his years on the council, he said he now worked alongside brothers Anthony and Roger Richards having also served with their father and grandfather.

Although born in Porthallow, Mr Peters described St Keverne as “the capital,” adding: “I think sometimes we don’t treat it as that, which we should do – it’s special. It’s the focal point of our parish and we should all respect one another, help one another and also all make sure that we help anybody that wants some help.

“May you all continue in health and strength.”

Also not returning are councillors Tony Carey, who has served the council for 30 years, as well as Rob Beadle and Dominic Brandreth, who Mr Lambrick also paid tribute to.

There will be no St Keverne Parish Council election in May, due to not enough candidates standing. If anyone wishes to become a councillor, there are two vacancies that can be filled most likely by co-option, once the new council is formally in place in May.

There will, however, be a Cornwall Council election in the parish, with Walter Sanger not standing for election again and three new candidates vying for the position in the St Keverne and Meneage electoral division: Julian Rand from Mawgan, Paul Parfitt from Gunwalloe and Wendy Gauntlett from Penzance.