A FORMER shop steward and a showman have been installed as Spennymoor Town Council's new mayor and deputy mayor.

Councillor Elsie Summerson took the chains of office from retiring Mayor Ross Hawkes, at the council's annual meeting.

Coun Summerson, who worked at Thorn Lighting in the town for 20 years, has represented the Spennymoor ward for seven years.

Deputy mayor is Councillor John Culine, who has represented the Tudhoe ward for four years. His family has been involved in circuses and fairs for about 500 years.

Coun Summerson said: "It is a great honour to be given the privilege to represent Spennymoor. I will give 101 per cent effort and all my respect to the role of town mayor.

"I'm also grateful to the people who elected me. As their ward councillor I will continue to do my best for them. I hope I can be as successful as the previous mayor in raising money for my charity, the provision of equipment at St Andrew's Medical Centre."

Retiring Mayor Councillor Ross Hawkes presented the proceeds of his charity appeal to his nominated charities: £4,875 donations were made to the Spennymoor Health Centre minor surgery unit and the National Meningitis Trust.

Councillor Bill Waters was re-elected as council leader and Councillor John Marr as deputy leader, at the annual meeting.