DARLINGTON'S new mayor, Councillor Marian Swift, was elected last night by the council.

Coun Swift, who represents Pierremont ward, was first elected to the council in 1995. She replaces Coun Eleanor Lister, whose one-year term ended.

The mayor's escort will be Coun Jenny Chapman - the mayor's daughter, who was elected earlier this month.

The election of Coun Swift was proposed by Coun Stephen Harker, and seconded by Coun Charles Johnson.

Coun Harker paid tribute to the mayor's late husband, Barry, who died in 1994.

The mayor, who is originally from Kent, said: "Little did I know when I first stepped into Darlington in 1983 that I would be standing here as its first citizen."

Coun Bill Dixon, while thanking the departing Mayor, criticised the proposed elected mayor system. He said ceremonial mayors kept "gutter politics" out of the mayoral system and added: "I hope that will never change."

The departing mayor thanked the people of her ward, Northgate, her ward partner, Coun Dorothy Long, and her escort, Henry Young.

Coun Ian Haszeldine - who will become next year's mayor - was also elected deputy mayor. Coun Dixon, while proposing him, joked: "I first met Ian Haszeldine on one of the few days he attended Eastbourne School."

The deputy mayor's escort will be Coun Lynne Haszeldine, Coun Ian Haszeldine's wife.