WYRE's mayor elect is looking forward to taking up his new post - providing he is re-elected as a councillor!

Conservative councillor Harry Taylor will be inaugurated as mayor for 1999-2000 on May 14, with his wife Frances as mayoress.

But first there is the small matter of retaining his position as councillor for Breck ward at the local elections on May 6.

So could the unthinkable happen and the mayor-elect lose his seat?

He said: "I would hope not. I haven't lost an election yet, so hopefully that good fortune will continue!"

Coun Taylor, 72, started his political career in 1965 on the old Poulton Urban District Council, which became part of Wyre Council in 1974.

The retired sales manager, who lives on Victoria Avenue, Poulton, took a break from local politics in 1976 to build up Taylor's Toys, his Blackpool-based wholesale and retail business. He was elected Conservative councillor for Breck ward ten years ago.

A Blackpool lad born and bred, Coun Taylor was educated at Blackpool Grammar School. He has lived in Poulton for more than 40 years.

The councillor has already gained an insight into the requirements of the position, having served as the borough's deputy mayor.

He said: "The Wyre mayor's job is to co-ordinate all the different parts of the borough, from Out Rawcliffe to Fleetwood to Garstang.

"With the Millennium approaching, it is certainly an exciting time to be mayor."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.