MIKE LAYLAND is one of the last of a vanishing breed of public representatives. Note we do not use the word `politician' - this Worcester born-and-bred lad has always had too much of a reckless disregard for his own survival to fall into that category.

It's hard to imagine a time when the Nunnery ward councillor and former city carnival stalwart wasn't making headlines. In particular, we recall our edition of November 5, 1992 when this ex-mayor turned on his erstwhile Labour colleagues and, perhaps like Cromwell before him, burned all his bridges. And look at the date - only a man plotting to become an Independent could have such a hilarious sense of timing.

Mike harks back to a time when people in the public eye were not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves. He has always preferred to run the risk of unpopularity with those in power rather than be anything less than true to his constituents. Down the years, the Worcester News has expended many gallons of ink on him - in the terminology of the trade, he `makes good copy'.

This newspaper therefore gives a warm welcome to the efforts of his old pal Tony Hail to have the Layland name immortalised on the new Diglis development. The council has responded cautiously, but we say go for it. If streets in St Peter's can be named after bird species and roads across Warndon Villages be given titles redolent of stately homes, then surely this son of Worcester deserves lasting recognition for all his good works over 40 years.