DURHAM'S new Mayor will support an event celebrating the work of the city's volunteers.

Durham City councillor Ray Gibbon, who was elected following the Liberal Democrats' election victory, will be at Saturday's volunteers fair.

The event will be held in Millennium Place, home of the £14m Gala Theatre, between 10am and 3pm. It is being organised by the Durham Volunteer Bureau to hail the unpaid army of helpers who work for charities and voluntary organisations.

Coun Gibbon, a former police officer from Witton Gilbert, is a volunteer himself, giving his time to the Durham Citizens' Advice Bureau. He has made the volunteer bureau, which tries to place would-be volunteers with various organisations, his charity for the year.

He will present certificates to volunteers nominated for their dedication and outstanding service.

There will be stalls and displays from local organisations, advice by the bureau for would-be volunteers, and family entertainment including jazz, dancing displays, a children's puppet show, face painting, and story sessions.

For more information call Rhianne Jones on (0191) 383 1944.

The event coincides with National Volunteers Week.