A POPULAR Liverpool councillor, who died suddenly last year, is to be given a posthumous Alderman award.

Rose Bailey, who represented the Croxteth ward, died of a massive heart attack while visiting relatives in Germany last July.

She had been due to become the Lord Mayor this year, so city leaders decided to honour her memory by giving her one of Liverpool’s highest civic honours.

The idea to honour Cllr Bailey – who was a member of the police authority and played a key role in defending the Croxteth community in the wake of negative press, following the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones – was proposed by Liberal leader Cllr Steve Radford.

Bestowing of the title of “Alderwoman” on Cllr Bailey will be a city first.

Previously, even female recipients of the honour were given the title of “Alderman”.

Cllr Radford said: “Many councillors were deeply saddened by the fact that we would not be able to appoint her as Lord Mayor.

“I can’t think of a more fitting time for her to be honoured in this way.

“When I put this to Cllr Anderson, he was deeply moved and very grateful, and made arrangements to consult with her family.”