BISHOP Auckland’s new mayor has pledged the group will become more involved in the community this year.

Councillor David Wilson was elected by fellow members of Bishop Auckland Town Council at their annual meeting last week.

The 48-year-old from Proudfoot Drive, Woodhouse Close, is proud of the new role and is excited about the opportunities he can create for the town.

“I want to bring the town council into the community more and let people see it is not so far removed, which I think is what a town council should be really,” he said.

“It is great that we can give support to things like the food festival and Bishop Auckland College’s music festival.

“This year we will be trying to push that even more.”

A keen jogger councillor Wilson plans to raise money for Bishop Auckland’s Butterwick Hospice in July by completing 14 miles with the Evenwood Roadrunners.

He was formerly a member of Wear Valley District Council but was unable to stand for the new unitary authority as he currently works for Durham County Council’s finance department.

He has been invited to primary schools in the area to explain his new job and tell young children what it is like being mayor. “I’m going to tell them that I’m really proud of it and I want to make a difference.

“I’ll also tell them how they can get more involved,” he said.

“This is a great town and it has a tremendous community spirit, everybody knows everybody just about.”