Arise, Sir Bob

Sir Bob Russell has devoted 40 years of his life to public office. Credit: ITV Anglia

After 40 years in public office as a Councillor, Mayor and MP for Colchester, Bob Russell will be officially recognised with a knighthood today.

The Liberal Democrat was first elected as Colchester MP in 1997 and is one of about 75 people from the ITV Anglia region to be honoured today at Buckingham Palace.

Sir Bob facts:

  • Sir Bob is a journalist by profession and in 1968 - at the age of 21 - he became the country's youngest News Editor at the Maldon and Burnham Standard.

  • He served as a Borough Councillor for 31 years - longer than any other councillor in the town's history. For five years (1997 to 2002) he served both as a Councillor and MP.

  • When he was elected as an MP in 1997, he became the first Colchester resident for 100 years to represent the town in parliament.

  • Friday 13th May 2011 - unlucky for some - marked Sir Bob's 40th year in continuous public office in Colchester.