WARRINGTON is to award honorary citizenship to Gunter Scheib, Burgermeister of German twin town Hilden.
Members of the borough council voted unanimously to the honour which is given to people who are not citizens of Warrington but whose actions mark them out as having made a particular contribution to the town.
Gunter Scheib joined Hilden Council in 1978, decame deputy Burgermeister in 1989 and Burgermeister (or Mayor) in 1994. He was re-elected in 1999.
This year he is standing down and the award of honorary citizenship is considered particularly timely.
Gunter Scheib has visited Warrington on numerous occasions. He speaks fluent English, having formerly been an English teacher, and has taken a keen interest in exchanges involving young people, such as the Warrington Youth Orchestra.
His son, Mathias, came to work at Great Sankey High School for six weeks last year as part of his teacher training.
