SENIOR MP Martin Linton helped Eastleigh's Labour party celebrate 50 years in the town at a special reception.
The occasion at the Wells Place Centre also saw three stalwarts honoured for their efforts.
Elsie Truscott, who joined the party in 1953 and contributed to an appeal for funds to buy its premises at 69 Leigh Road in 1955, was awarded a certificate.
Meanwhile, constituency party secretary Bill Luffman, who has clocked up 60 years' service, and 92-year-old Freddie O'Garr, who has been a party member for 65 years, are to receive signed salutes from Prime Minister Tony Blair.
They were all concratulated by Mr Linton who is parliamentary private secretary to Peter Hain, Leader of the House of Commons.
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