Veteran Lancaster politican Abbott Bryning has passed away at the age of 94.

Abbott, who died at home on September 14, was known as the ‘Father of the Council’ due to his long service, and in 2023 was awarded the Freedom of the City after notching up a unique record of 56 years' continuous service.

Abbott became a councillor when he was a 35-year-old lecturer at Lancaster and Morecambe College.

He represented first Bulk ward and then Skerton East, until he called it a day at the age of 91.

Abbott Bryning pictured with his Freedom of the City certificate in 2023.

placeholder image — Abbott Bryning pictured with his Freedom of the City certificate in 2023.

Abbott was born the eldest of four sons in 1932, the same year Morecambe Town Hall was built, and was named after the maternal grandfather he never met.

He attended Morecambe Grammar School and was the first member of the family to go to university in the 1950s, attending Sheffield University.

Abbott joined the Labour Party while a student and was signed up by Labour’s former deputy leader, Roy Hattersley.

He became a councillor in 1967 and won 15 elections.

Abbott Bryning (front centre) pictured with friends at his 90th birthday party in 2022. Photo: Steve Pendrill

Abbott was also the Labour candidate for Morecambe in the 1983 General Election, losing to Mark Lennox-Boyd.

Mayor of Lancaster twice – in 1980/81 and 1998/99 – and former leader of the council, he was also cabinet member for regeneration and an honorary alderman.

Well-known for being at the forefront of improvements to education, he served as chair of governors at both Morecambe High School, where he was a pupil, and Lancaster Adult College, as a member of the governing council of Lancaster University, and as a governor of St Martin's College, now the University of Cumbria.

Abbott was awarded an honorary master of arts degree by Lancaster University.

Abbott Bryning was a Lancaster city councillor for 56 years.

A keen advocate of Heysham Power Stations, he served on their community liaison committee and supported Glasson Dock as a former member of Lancaster Port Commission.

He encouraged better Anglo-German relations in his work involving Rendsburg, Lancaster's German twin town.

He represented the city on Lancaster and Skipton Rail Users' Group, Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership and Ripley Education Trust.

He was branch secretary of NATFHE (National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education) and president of Lancaster Trades Council.

Mayor Abbott Bryning and mayoress Elsie Bryning unveiling a new map of Lancaster in Market Street in 1998.

A lifelong Labour supporter, he received the 50-plus long service award honouring a lifetime's commitment to the party.

Abbott's wife Elsie, who was his mayoress, died in 2015. He leaves two daughters, Gail and Deborah, grandchildren, and a brother.

Current mayor Coun Colin Hartley, said: “Abbott was a bastion of local democracy and his loss will be felt across the political spectrum and the community as a whole.

"I’m sure I speak on behalf of the whole council when I say he will be missed by all who knew him. My sincere condolences go to all of his friends and family.”

A minute’s silence will be held at the next meeting of full council on September 23. The city flag will be flown at half mast at both town halls on the day of the funeral.