DURHAM'S City new mayor plans to raise money for a mental health centre during his year in office.

Former special school headteacher Bob Wynn, 70, a Liberal Democrat councillor for eight years, has taken over from Independent councillor Jeff Lodge as the city's first citizen.

Councillor Wynn, who represents Crossgate and Framwellgate and was a cabinet member for three years until he became deputy mayor last year, will raise money for the Bowes Lyon Hospital, on the site of Earl's House Hospital, on the outskirts of the city.

The hospital provides help and treatment for people suffering from dementia and the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Coun Wynn said the hospital provided sensory stimulation to help patients and their families.

He said that, during his year in office, he wanted to reach areas on the outskirts of the city.

"I am looking forward to it. I enjoyed being deputy mayor and I want to build on the contacts I made,'' he said.

Coun Wynn, a widower, will have long-time family friend Nora Fisher, a former special needs teacher, as his mayoress.

Long-serving Liberal Democrat council Grenville Holland and his wife, Olive, are the new deputy mayor and mayoress.