A TOWN council has elected its new mayor.

Great Aycliffe Town Council selected Councillor Val Raw as mayor and Councillor Mary Dalton as deputy mayor at its annual meeting on Wednesday.

Councillor Raw said she was delighted and grateful for the appointment.

Her nominated charity for her year in office will be the Butterwick Hospice and various other town charities.

Outgoing Mayor Coun Maud Gray presented the money raised during her campaign to her nominated charities- £4,018 to the St John Ambulance Wheels Appeal and Pease Way Medical Centre.

Coun Gray said: "I'd like to thank everyone who supported me during a very hectic and memorable year as mayor of Great Aycliffe."