A FORMER mayor of Stockton has been shortlisted for the Mayor of the Year Award run by the Co-operative Bank.

Councillor Suzanne Fletcher was nominated by local authority colleagues, appreciative charities and residents following a term in office.

She beat off stiff competition from fellow mayors at almost 50 local authorities to reach the shortlist.

If successful, she stands to receive a £1,000 donation from the Co-operative Bank to the Mayor's Charity Fund and an engraved crystal plate.

She said: "It was an absolutely fantastic year as mayor, and this is just a huge honour to be shortlisted. It is a tribute to the teamwork that went on around me and the support I received from everyone."

David Dunn, of the Co-operative Bank, said: "To be shortlisted for this prestigious award reflects the hard work and dedication that Coun Fletcher has shown in the role of mayor.

"She completed 351 civic engagements during her year in office and worked tirelessly in raising funds for the Butterwick Hospice out-of-hours service and the Mary Thompson Fund."

The runners-up and national winner for 2007 will be announced later this month.