Richmond'S mayor has done such a good job that town council colleagues have asked him to stay in office for another year.

Stuart Parsons, who also became a member of Richmondshire District Council on May 1, is the driving force behind the Richmond Pride scheme that aims to make the town a better place to live and work.

He invited representatives from a number of local organisations to take turns acting as his consort at civic occasions over the past 12 months and has been prepared to get his hands dirty, leading from the front during a number of the litter-picking weekends he has pioneered.

A vote taken last week to ask Coun Parsons to stay in office was unanimous and he will be the first mayor since 1973 to remain in office for a consecutive year.

"I'm over the moon as it will allow me to carry on with projects like Richmond Pride, the Music Day and the Richmond Heritage Day we're planning later this year; I'm really looking forward to it,'' he said.

Richmond Town Council also has a potential manpower problem to solve; despite the local elections at the beginning of the month it still needs two new councillors to represent the Richmond West ward.

Nominees are requested by Friday, June 6, and councillors hope to choose people to fill the vacancies at a meeting on Monday, June 9. Further information on eligibility is available from the town clerk, Peter Clarke, at the town hall on (01748) 829100.