DURHAM's new Mayor hopes to give two worthy causes a helping hand during his year in office.

Ushaw Moor Labour councillor George Cowper aims to raise money for the Durham Centre for People With Learning Disabilities and the Durham and Chester-le-Street branch of the Alzheimer's Society.

He is urging people to get behind his appeal fund, which he is calling Helping Hands. Councillor Cowper, 67, who managed a centre for people with learning disabilities at Lanchester before his retirement, said he hoped to raise more than £20,000 for the charities.

"People need a helping hand, especially people with learning disabilities and Alzheimer's sufferers.

"We thought they were both worthwhile causes, he said.

He hopes to use his year as a "platform to bring new life and prosperity and hope" to people in the city.

Coun Cowper, who served on Durham City Council for 14 years, is a member of the Salvation Army, as is his wife, Marian. He was Deputy Mayor last year.

Deerness ward councillor Eileen Rochford, of Esh Winning - whose late father Michael was a councillor - is the new Deputy Mayor. Her consort will be Barry Grimes, who runs a tool-making and precision engineering firm.

Outgoing Mayor George Wharton was praised for carrying out his civic duties "admirably".