GLASSES were raised this week to toast the good health of councillor Keith Musgrave as he celebrates his 70th birthday - nine years after undergoing life saving surgery.

Clr Musgrave, who is the current leader of Vale Royal Borough Council, underwent major surgery at Wythenshawe Hospital to have a heart transplant after being diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease almost a decade ago.

He celebrated both his birthday and the anniversary of his surgery earlier this week on August 12 and his wife Mabel organised a massive surprise birthday party for him to mark the special occasion.

Clr Musgrave said: "I thought I was just going to my local pub for a pie and a pint, I couldn't believe it when I saw all of those people."

It seems that the best birthday present to buy Clr Musgrave is red wine these days.

He said: "My surgeon advised me to drink two glasses of red wine a day to keep my heart healthy, well it might have been two bottles but I don't think I could quite manage that!"

Clr Musgrave has served on the council for 16 years. He was Mayor of Vale Royal in 1998 and 1999 during which time he raised £12,500 for the North West New Heart New Start appeal.

Since them he has gone on to raise more than £20,000 for the charity.

In his current capacity as leader of the council he is looking forward to the results of a Comprehensive Performance Assessment.

He said: "We are hoping that the results will confirm that the borough is indeed an 'excellent' authority and is succeeding in its vision of making Vale Royal a great place to be."

scorrigan@guardiangrp.co.uk