DURHAM'S first Liberal Democrat mayor hopes to give a boost to the city's army of volunteers.

Former policeman Ray Gibbon, of Witton Gilbert, became the first citizen when he accepted the office at Durham City Council's annual meeting on Tuesday.

He and his wife, Margaret, will represent the city at civic functions and will raise money for Durham Volunteers' Bureau.

The bureau, in Millennium Place, aims to match people with the charities and organisations that need their help.

Coun Gibbon said the bureau helped to recruit and support the volunteers on whom many organisations depended.

Coun Gibbon, who gave 29 years service to the Durham and Northumbria police forces, has been a member of the city council and Witton Gilbert parish council for 12 years and is a volunteer for Durham Citizens' Advice Bureau.

Liberal Democrat leader Sue Pitts said: "He is a thoroughly good, kind and dedicated man. He has given service generously to many people and many groups. The city is very lucky that Ray Gibbon is going to be our mayor."

His deputy is Mary Hawgood, a former teacher who has served on the council for 12 years.

She founded St Cuthbert's Hospice and recently launched a support group for people in constant pain.

Deputy leader Grenville Holland said: "Mary will make an excellent deputy mayor supporting Ray in all his duties."

Tribute was paid to the hard work of the outgoing mayor, Labour's Eileen Rochford, her partner Barry Grimes and her deputy Joe Knight and his wife Joyce.

Coun Knight, who had been in line to become mayor, was one of the Labour victims of the landslide Lib-Dem victory.

Coun Pitts pledged that from next year, in a break from the past, the mayor would be chosen on merit and not political affiliation.

Coun Rochford said it had been a great privilege and honour to serve the city as her father Michael had done. Her charity appeal may have raised £25,000 for the Butterwick Children's Hospice and Round Table Children's Wish.