COUNCILLOR Gareth Anderson has officially become the youngest mayor of Ellesmere Port.

The 30-year-old was handed the chain of office during a mayor-making ceremony in front of family, friends and members of the public at the town’s Civic Hall last week.

Cllr Anderson, a former Whitby High school student, thanked outgoing mayor and mayoress Tony and Pat Sherlock for their ‘sterling’ work over the last year.

He also paid tribute to his sister, Cllr Kimberley Anderson, for her support as well as Cllr Myles Hogg and the Chester Ladies Choir who provided the music on the night.

Speaking on a new mayoralty website he set up to promote the role, Cllr Anderson said: “It was so nice to see such a number of people there, especially as it was relatively quickly arranged this year.

“School friends and old teachers, colleagues and people from my theatrical times were all there, plus many of the people who do some fantastic things in our community.”

His first idea after taking the post was to create six ‘community mayors’ who will each have a two-month spell in the role.

During the ceremony Cllr Anderson announced that former Ellesmere Port and Neston borough councillor Henny Moore would be the first of these.

He said: “Henny has worked tirelessly and quietly for years with some of our residents who need a man as energetic and caring as he is to make their lives even better.

“I also said in my remarks that although as councillors we are with different teams, we play on the same pitch.

“We are with the Conservative or Labour parties, but we are always together in being for Ellesmere Port and all of its suburbs and villages.

“I look forward to my year in office, in particular working with some of those groups in our area which do truly brilliant things to help others.”

To find out more about the community mayor role visit www.ellesmereportmayor.net or contact Cllr Anderson at gareth.anderson@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or on 07798 581691.