THREE priests have been honoured for their service to the Thurrock community – though one of the awards will be posthumous following the death earlier this week of a much loved clergyman.

The Freedom of the Borough of Thurrock has been conferred on Rev John Guest, Canon Brian O'Shea and Father Paul Dynan. The Freedom is a rare honour which has only been presented five times in nearly 40 years.

Rev Guest and Canon O'Shea are bestowed this tribute as they retire from their roles. Father Dynan passed away last week but was made aware of the honour by Cllr Martin Kerin shortly before he died.

Rev Guest is about to retire after more than two decades serving the congregation and parish of St Margaret's Church in Stanford. The charismatic vicar has service din a unique way, with humour and laughter as the keystones of his ministry – sometimes performing a clown to help bring his message to the community.

Canon O'Shea is also due to retire from his post at St Thomas of Canterbury, Grays, while fellow Cathoilc priest Father Paul served at Our Lady and St Joseph, Stanford-le-Hope, and Our Lady Star of the Sea, Tilbury.

Thurrock mayor Cllr Terry Piccolo, will present the awards to Rev Guest, Canon O'Shea and the family of the late Father Dynan at a formal ceremony later in the year but they have been sent a letter from the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Sue Shinnick, informing them of this recognition.

Cllr Piccolo said: "I am delighted that Rev Guest, Canon O'Shea and the late Father Dynan have all been recognised for the hard work and dedication that they have put into serving Thurrock and its residents.

"The Freedom of the Borough is an honour held in the highest esteem, and is bestowed to individuals so we can publicly recognise their invaluable contributions to our borough's civic and pastoral community.

"My heartfelt congratulations to you and your families. I offer my deepest condolences to Father Dynan's family, friends and all those who knew him. I hope that this recognition of the role he played in our community offers some comfort at this time."

Cllr Shinnick, added: "I also extend my congratulations to Rev Guest, Canon O'Shea and the late Father Dynan.

"This is a fitting tribute to all three clergymen who have had a notable and lasting impact on the Thurrock residents they have supported over many years. They deserve to be recognised for their efforts and we offer this award as a token of our gratitude."

The Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour a council can bestow and has previously been awarded to:

· The Thurrock Branch of the Burma Association (26 November 2008)

· Mrs Dorothy Coker (26 September 2001)

· 215 Essex Squadron (28 June 1986)