LONG-serving councillor John Lightley is Durham's new deputy mayor.

Councillor Lightley, 74, from High Shincliffe, was confirmed yesterday in the role after the death from cancer of fellow Liberal Democrat George Hunter, who represented Newton Hall North.

He will serve until May, when he is likely to step into the role of the city's mayor, occupied by another Liberal Democrat, Mary Hawgood, councillor for Crossgate and Framwellgate.

Councillor Lightley - whose wife, Margaret, will be Deputy Mayoress - will share the job with the Mayor, representing the council at civic and community functions and events.

He has been a city councillor for ten years, has represented the Elvet Division on Durham County Council for eight years and has been on Shincliffe Parish Council for 30 years. He has worked at Houghall College and was the northern regional manager for the Agricultural Training Board.

Mrs Lightley was deputy headteacher of Tanfield Lea Infants School, near Stanley. The couple have a son and a daughter.

Coun Lightley said: "I have mixed feelings because it has come about due to the death of George Hunter. We'd rather it wasn't happening because of that.

"Having said that, my family have lived in Durham since the 19th Century and it is a city I love very much. It is a great honour and I am looking forward to it very much.''

Councillor Hunter, who was also on Durham County Council and Framwellgate Moor Parish Council, died in November, aged 67.