THE newly-elected Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Council will proudly wear the Borough's red civic robes for the first time at his installation on Friday.

Councillor Brian Briggs is pledging to devote the next 12 months promoting the borough and raising money for his two charity choices, Zoe's Place, the children's hospice at Normanby and the Great North Air Ambulance.

But the 70-year-old grandfather, instantly recognisable with his silver beard and hair, will have to make one sacrifice - for one year only - and shelve his other job that requires a red coat.

He said: "I will have to give up helping Father Christmas. I do 12 venues on a regular basis and I really enjoy doing that. Even without the red coat or boots, everybody still looks at me as if I'm Father Christmas - I don't even need much padding."

He is delighted to be taking over the mayoral chains.

"It means everything to me - the pinnacle, to be first citizen. I'll be over the moon and I know my mum and dad will be looking down on me with an immense feeling of pride."

South Bank-born Brian is the ward councillor for Skelton, which has been his home for 40 years with wife Margaret, who will be Mayoress. The couple celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary in July.

Serving the community certainly runs in the family, starting with Brian's father Jimmy, who was the chair of Eston Urban District Council in 1960.

He was elected as Skelton ward councillor in 2003 is also a Skelton and Brotton parish councillor, along with wife Margaret.

His youngest son Peter has been Parish Council chairman for four years and his teenage grandson Ben is the Parish Council's newest member.