THE NEW Mayors of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre take up office next month.

Blackpool's Coun Ivan Taylor says he's thrilled to be mayor-elect of such an exciting and progressive town and hopes his year of office will prove to be for the betterment of the residents.

He is the longest serving council member, clocking up 33 years. Since 1976 he has represented Claremont Ward.

Coun Taylor served for 27 years as council labour group leader and spearheaded Blackpool's successful bid for unitary status when he was council leader from 1991 to 2000.

He and his wife, Sylvia, who is the mayoress-elect, live in Devonshire Road, Blackpool. They are both members of the Salvation Army.

FYLDE'S mayor-elect, Greenhalgh and Singleton ward councillor, Hannah Cummings-Miller, has chosen her daughter to be mayoress.

Maxine Chew, a retail toy distributor, of Singleton, says she's looking forward to supporting her mother during her year of office. Coun Cummings-Miller has served as an independent representative on the council for 20 years. She is continuing to push for a new link road to prevent heavy traffic travelling through her ward via the A585 from Blackpool to Fleetwood. Other campaigns include anti-litter efforts and Coun Cummings-Miller has led litter-picks in the village.

HELPING people and raising the profile of young residents is the aim of Wyre's mayor-elect, Coun Geoff Horrocks.

Coun Horrocks was instrumental in getting the first 20mph zone in the borough which was set up outside a Fleetwood primary school. He also helped to establish the Flakefleet Kids Club in Fleetwood. A Labour councillor for 15 years, Coun Horrocks served as a member of the county council from 1997 to 2001. He is currently chair of governors at Carr Head, Poulton and Flakefleet Schools and is also vice chairman of Blackpool and the Fylde College. His wife of 30 years, will be mayoress.