THE sons of a councillor who died earlier this month will collect a posthumous award for his 25 years of service to Harrow Council.

Councillor John Cowan was first elected in May 1986 for Canons Ward and was currently serving his seventh consecutive period in office after winning the seat in the May elections last year.

He was deputy leader of the Conservative Group from 1997 to 1998 and group leader from 1999 to 2003.

He served on council committees, including the Education Committee and the Policy and Resources Committee and also served as a key appointee to the Harrow College Further Education Corporation Board and North London Collegiate School Board.

He was mayor in 1994/95 and served with his late wife Janet in Canons Ward until she died in office in October 2007.

He died of a heart attack on Thursday, April 7, following a routine operation.

Mr Cowan’s sons, Richard and Martin, will collect the award at a full council meeting on May 10.

Richard said: “We were going to be attending the meeting where he was to receive the award anyway but now we will be collecting it on his behalf.

“The funeral was held with more than 500 people attending, which made it a fantastic send-off.

“We were completely overwhelmed with the letters of condolence for when our mother died and the messages that have come through for dad now.”

Councillor Husain Akhtar, fellow ward councillor for Canon Ward, said: “It is very sad that John is not with us to celebrate his long-service award ceremony at the next Council meeting.

“I’m very pleased that his two sons - Richard and Martin - will collect a posthumous long-service award on their father's behalf.”