A MAYORESS has won praise for her bravery and devotion to duty after attending a civic event in a wheelchair days after leaving hospital.

Mayoress of Ripon April Martin spent 18 days in the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, after she fell down the stairs at a Ripon restaurant.

Mrs Martin insisted that the Mayor of Ripon, her husband Coun Stuart Martin, should not miss any engagements.

With the help of his 21-year-old daughter Gemma, he kept every civic engagement over the festive period, as well as visiting his wife in hospital.

Wheelchair-bound Mrs Martin accompanied the mayor to Ripon Leisure Centre for the Lynne Unit School of Dance's prizegiving.