BURY'S mayor-in-waiting is putting his wider civic duty before his party commitments.

Councillor John Smith is stepping down after 20 years as secretary of Bury North Labour Party.

He says he wants to devote as much time as possible to serve the community after he takes over as the borough's "First Citizen" in May.

A member for Redvales, he was the campaign co-ordinator at both of the last two general elections. He will continue in that role, and as one of the two constituency political education officers.

The new branch secretary is Warren Flood, who is stepping down as a Pilkington Park councillor in May.