A SURPRISE birthday party for a popular councillor saw a plaque unveiled to mark his contribution to the community.

The plaque takes pride of place in the newly dedicated Kevin Nicholson room at the Firthmoor Community Centre, where the councillor devoted more than a decade of his life.

Cllr Nicholson became a well-respected figure there during his years as chairman, when he helped to turn its fortunes round to the point that it is now running self-sufficiently and no longer relies upon the local authority for funding.

He recently stepped down from the role to focus on his responsibilities as a councillor but still devotes his spare time to helping the team and those who use the facility.

On Wednesday, Cllr Nicholson’s friends, colleagues and family gathered at the centre to surprise him as they marked his 30th birthday.

His pround nana, 80-year-old Irene Preston, said her grandson had always supported his community, adding: “This is absolutely wonderful and Kevin deserves it.

“He works very hard and he works for the people, he is a credit to his family and I believe he will be Prime Minister one day.”

His mother, Sandra Cooper, added: “I am so proud of him, he has done so much for this community and I know he will go far.”

The community centre team also paid tribute to the independent councillor, with Glenis Harrison saying: “When he stepped down 18 months ago, we didn’t get the opportunity to celebrate what he’d done for the centre so we thought doing this on his milestone birthday would be a good way to mark the contribution he has made.”

Jonathan Dulston added: “He enhanced this charity so that we could go forward and it is remarkable for someone of his age to give ten years of his life to a voluntary organisation.

“Kevin is very well known in this community and is someone who people will come to and who will do what he can to help anybody.”

Cllr Nicholson said: “It’s really lovely to see everyone come together like this.

“Having a room dedicated to me is an honour but I’m just a bookmark in this charity’s proud history, I’m just one person who’s part of a bigger team."

“I was not expecting this and was even in here last weekend painting the room – it’s like I giftwrapped my own birthday present.

“This means a lot to me, but what means more is what this community centre is doing locally and it’s great to come together to celebrate that.”