A FORMER mayor of Portland received a ‘wonderful surprise’ when he was presented with a book of photos charting his 40-year contribution to local politics.

Les Ames retired earlier this year after serving for 35 years as a town councillor.

He was presented with the gift by the Island of Portland Heritage Trust at the opening of the group’s annual photographic competition.

Mr Ames said: “It was such a wonderful surprise. The trustees are very good people and do such wonderful things for the island.”

The book has photos of Mr Ames’ time on Dorset County, Weymouth and Portland Borough and Portland Town Councils, as well as more personal pictures from when he was serving with the RAF in India.

Mr Ames said he was ‘so touched’ by the gift, he and Jean, his wife of 70 years, sat up until 1am looking at it.

“There are things that you forget over the course of 40 years so it’s great to look back and remember. It will be something to keep.

“It was quite funny really because we were just about to leave to go for dinner and they all said ‘you can’t leave yet’ and presented me with the book.

“I really wasn’t expecting it. Whoever put it all together has done a magnificent job.”

Mr Ames served as mayor of Weymouth and Portland twice, and was mayor of Portland three times. In 2006 he was awarded an MBE for services to the community.

He added: “I just can’t believe they have given me this, because, to me, it’s something I enjoyed doing. I enjoyed every minute of it all. People say it must have been a lot of work, and it was, but it was my life and Jean was working right alongside me.”

Since retiring, Mr Ames said he is now at ‘a bit of a loss’ to know what to do. “It is a bit strange. I have a lot of time now,” he added.