A TOWN mayor made history when he handed over the proceeds of his charity campaign.

Out-going Spennymoor Town of England East Children's Cancer Research Unit, at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary. It is one of the largest amounts raised by a town mayor.

Councillor Culine said: "I will never forget the experience of being mayor, my wife Davina and I have enjoyed it.

"It has been one of the best years of my life and an honour to represent the town and the council.

"To raise more than £20,000 was incredible. I'm so grateful to the generous people in the town and the Showmen's Guild who donated half of that figure."

The new mayor is mother-of-three Christine Kennedy, 55, landlady of The Binchester Hotel, in Middlestone Moor.

She has been a town councillor for three years.

During her year in office, Councillor Kennedy will raise money for Spennymoor Health Centre towards specialist eye and ear equipment.

Out-going Chilton Town Mayor Lenny Potts raised £2,641 during his year in office.

One of the biggest events of the campaign was the civic dinner at Chilton and Windlestone Workingmen's Club.

Councillor Potts split the proceeds of the appeal between the NSPCC, which received £1,741 to spend locally, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Windlestone Methodist Church and St Aiden's Church, which each got £300.

Victor Collinson, a Chilton Town councillor for ten years, is the new mayor. He will support St Aiden's Church and the British Red Cross.