THE new Mayor of St Helens, Councillor David Craig, has officially been sworn into office at the traditional mayor-making ceremony at the Town Hall.

After thanking family and friends for all their support, the new mayor declared: "I will give this year my best effort."

During his short speech Councillor Craig announced that the Mayor's Appeal this year would be the St Helens Millenium Theatre for Youth.

Councillor Craig, who was born in Dunoon, Scotland, settled with his wife Betty and their son and daughter in St Helens in 1969 after he finished his service with the RAF.

After leaving the RAF, Councillor Craig joined Pilkington's Flat Glass Accounting Division, where was elected as an official representative of the white collar union ASTMS. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1975 and elected as a Merseyside County Councillor for Haydock in 1981. He served until the abolition of the county council in 1986 and was deputy chairman of the Highways and Tunnels and Road Safety Committees.

Councillor Craig was first elected to St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council seven years ago as a representative for Blackbrook and was subsequently re-elected in 1995 for West Sutton.

The new mayor also has strong community links and is chairman of governors at Richard Evans Community Primary School and a governor at Legh Vale County Primary.

Councillor Craig, who lists his interests as reading, gardening and the welfare of people, is also actively involved with both the St Helens Council for Voluntary Service and the Haydock Old Folks Treat Committee.

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