Cllr Mike Burton

It is with great sadness that North East Lincolnshire Council today announces that one of its longest serving councillors, former Mayor Cllr Mike Burton, has died following a short illness.

Councillor Burton had served the public in a variety of roles including borough and Immingham town councillor for more than 50 years.

He was elected as a member of Immingham Town Council in 1966, had served as the Mayor of Immingham three times, served as a borough councillor since 2011 and as Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Council in 2012-13.

Councillor Ray Oxby, leader of the Council, said: “Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife, Audrey, and his family. Mike dedicated a large part of his life to community service, and he was a real champion of the community, working relentlessly to help local people of all ages. He will be sadly missed by us all.”

Fellow Immingham councillors, Cllr Dave Watson and Cllr Dave Bolton, said: “Mike was an active and popular resident of the community and was hugely respected and liked. As well as serving as a councillor, he also ran the local hardware store for many years and was well known to many people of the town. We are thankful for the work he undertook on behalf of the residents of Immingham over the years, and he will be missed by everyone who knew him. On a personal note, he was also a great friend and his passing will be felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”