THE outgoing Mayor of Darlington performed her last official function last week before stepping down.

Doris Jones handed over a cheque for £5,000 last Thursday to the local branch of the Alzheimer's Society, money which came from the mayor's charitable fund for the past year.

Later in the day, Coun Jones formally handed the reins over to new mayor Ron Lewis. He took up office at a full council meeting that night.

Also at the meeting was a newly elected councillor who is following her mother, father and grandfather into politics.

Emma Vasey-Smith, 23, attended her first full council meeting along with parents and fellow Labour councillors Lee and John Vasey. Lee's father, David Forbes, is also a politician, having served more than ten years as a Labour member in Sunderland City.

"It's been lovely watching my family work as councillors and I love the way they've helped the community," said Emma, who at 23 is Darlington Borough Council's youngest member.

"I just decided I wanted to do the same."

A family which has produced three mayors for the town may now produce a fourth. Joe Lyonette, 38, has joined his father David as a Labour councillor.

David Lyonette said: "My uncle Michael was mayor in 1947 to 1948 and my aunt Mary became the first female mayor of the town in 1958. I served from 1992 to 1993. Our family has been on the council since before the war. Politics is just a part of our life but I'm very proud of Joe."

Joe, a student and father of two, has twice tried to get elected in Darlington before. This time he was successful in the Park East ward.

"We are a very political family - it's always a subject at the dinner table," he said.

"I think becoming mayor will be a long way off in the future though.Right now I just want to concentrate on doing the job."