Fifty years and counting!

For more than 50 years Mary and Esther Watson have been playing a vital role in Warrington Borough Council’s elections.
The sisters from Great Sankey have, for nearly every year since 1964, been either poll clerks, counters or canvassers for the council elections.
Mary, 73, said: “At my very first election I was a poll clerk at Padgate Primary School. I was told that it was very important to be accurate and to do everything to the best of my ability. That has always stuck with me and I always do my very best to be as accurate as possible.”
Esther, 71, worked for the council for 37 years and joined her sister in working on the council elections as soon as she could.
She said: “We have always enjoyed it, you meet lovely people and the council election people have always been great, so lovely and helpful.”
Katherine Fairclough, deputy returning officer, said: “I think Mary and Esther are absolutely marvellous.
“They have been joining us for so long at this most important time of the year and keep coming back. They are extremely hard working and they are incredibly accurate, providing a great, valuable service. We hope they continue to join us for many years to come.”
Mary and Esther are hoping to bring their expertise to helping with the European referendum in June.