DURHAM City's Mayor has been promised a free cuppa any time he calls at a cafe he officially opened.

In one of his final duties in the role, Jeff Lodge did the honours at Cafe Cenno, formerly the Balcony Bistro, in Durham Indoor Market.

The cafe opened in March after the Durham Markets Company invested £160,000 in a revamp.

As a thank you, owners Ian and Joanne Kennedy, who also own the IK Fish stall in the market, promised Coun Lodge could have a beverage on the house whenever he wants.

Coun Lodge said: "You meet all kinds of people as Mayor, but I don't think there is anywhere that you will meet a wider cross-section of the local community than in Durham Markets, which attract everyone from students to senior citizen.

"I was very pleased to come along and do the honours for Cafe Cenno, which provides a real focus for the market traders and their customers."

Durham Markets Company managing director Colin Wilkes said: "We are really pleased with the extended balcony and with the fitting out of the new-look cafe.

"Ian and Joanne are an integral part of our little community, so we are delighted that they have chosen to invest for the future."