Published at 15:57, Thursday, 21 February 2013

BEST wishes have been paid to a veteran councillor as he recovers from a heart attack.

Councillor Joss Curwen, who represents the Broughton ward on South Lakeland District Council, received treatment in Blackpool Victoria Hospital after suffering a heart attack several weeks ago.

Cllr Curwen is now recovering at his Waitham Hill home between Broughton and Kirkby and despite his illness he has not resigned from his post.

A passionate campaigner for the villages of Kirkby and Broughton, Cllr Curwen has famously missed only a handful of meetings during his time as a parish and district councillor.

He was the driving force behind plans to install a new sewerage system in Kirkby and he has been an active campaigner regarding highways safety in South Cumbria.

Cllr Curwen, a father of one, has served as an SLDC councillor since 1987 and will be up for re-election if he chooses to stand in 2015.

Councillor James Airey, leader of the Conservative group on SLDC, said: “As the group leader we wish him a speedy recovery. He is a hard working member of the group and he is very well thought of in the community.

“He is one of the more active councillors, but the rest of the group will cover his workload while he is off. We wish him all the best.”

A spokeswoman for SLDC said: “We are aware Cllr Curwen has been ill and he is recovering at home.

“He is still a member of the council. We wish him well in his recovery.”

When contacted by the Evening Mail Cllr Curwen’s family said he was not well enough to speak.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk