A LONGING to return to Dunbar has led a man with a more-than-50-year connection to the town joining its community council.

Kevin Searle filled the remaining vacancy and was unanimously welcomed by the group.

He revealed he had even been taught by former long-standing chairman Stephen Bunyan while he attended school in the town.

He said: “My connection with Dunbar goes back to 1969 when I moved here as an 11-year-old with my father, who was the works engineer at Blue Circle as it was at the time.

“I went to Dunbar Grammar School so I got a good education. Mr Bunyan actually taught me history for one year when I first came up here.

“I always had a love of Dunbar; I thoroughly loved growing up here.

“I left home at the age of 16 to get work and I have always had a longing to come back here again.

“I came back for a brief period of time until my father moved to Nigeria.

“Latterly, I moved back here by marrying one of my childhood sweethearts; that’s the reason I’m back.

“I love Dunbar, I love the whole relaxed atmosphere of the place and I just love living here.”

Mr Searle, who returned to the town in 2012, has worked throughout the UK and cited his knowledge in building construction, railway and engineering as topics that could help during his time with the group.

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of the community, welcomed Mr Searle to the group.