A TOWN mayor's dedication to his community has earned him the highest accolade from his professional peers.
Spennymoor mayor Councillor John Culine has been named the Showman of The Year by The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain, which represents 5,000 show families.
The Guild's Northern Section, of which Coun Culine has been a member for 30 years, nominated him for his work over three decades.
That included acting as the group's full-time secretary and arranging for the group's president to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair.
His contribution to the Spennymoor area also landed him the award.
Coun Culine said: "I am delighted. It is the top honour a showman can get and feels very special.
"I am very proud to be a showman and it is wonderful that fellow showmen have shown their pride and respect in me."
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