An award in memory of councillor Frances Moseley has been presented to the founder of Alpha Road residents’ association.

Derrick Johnson, 69, ex-chairman of the Kingston Federation of Residents, the award for lifetime achievement in a ceremony at the Guildhall.

Councillor Moseley was still working on council business days before she finally died in the Princess Alice Hospice Esher after a long battle with cancer.

The award will be presented every January to a resident nominated for services to their community.

Richard Grosvenor, federation secretary, said: “Both the council and the federation were looking for some way to recognize Frances Moseley’s achievements and perpetuate her memory, and rewarding the most community spirited resident is a good way of doing it."

Mr Johnson said: "I am very excited to be awarded something like the Frances Moseley award, because Frances was a councillor we worked closely with, and I am very sorry she has passed on.

"We had a lot of time and respect for her at the federation."

Mr Johnson moved into the School Lane estate in the 1980s, with his wife and two sons, forming one of the borough’s first residents’ associations.

He then founded the Alpha Road residents’ association, before starting up the Kingston Federation of Residents in 1988, becoming its vice chairman.

He served as chairman for over 20 years.

Among his achievements are gaining fully-funded independence for the federation, and expanding the number of residents’ associations in the borough to over 20.

Mr Johnson said: “I think there is a different climate nowadays to when we first got started.

"We have moved on a lot over the last few years, and if we have accomplished that I am very pleased.”

Councillor Sushila Abraham, who was elected to replace Coun Moseley said: “I think it is a fantastic thing that he is receiving it, and I think it is certainly something to recognize what Frances was doing. She was quite devoted to the residents."