PRESTON'S new Mayor, Liberal Democrat Ron Marshall took office this week following the defeat in the local elections of the Mayor Elect, Conservative councillor Audrey Scott.

Councillor Marshall, a former Methodist minister and college lecturer, has taken over from councillor Terry Cartwright. Mr Marshall's wife Margaret will be his Mayoress.

The father-of-two and grandfather-of-five still has a strong interest in education but his accomplishments extend much further to humanitarian issues.

He came to Preston 22 years ago to take over the church in Lune Street, which now has one of the few night shelters for the homeless in the North West. Councillor Marshall also helped set up the first Samaritans branch in Preston.

But his main interest is education and in his inaugural speech this week he vowed to support local schools, colleges and the University which, he declared, 'is adding lustre to our town'.

He said: "We want to visit our educational establishments to encourage and support all concerned in their liberating and developing role for our youth."

Councillor Marshall also has strong ties with the local business community as a director of Lancashire County Enterprises, the Lancashire Cooperative Development Agency and in the Technology Management Centre. He stressed his keenness to help local businesses which he described as 'the seeds of future prosperity for Preston'.

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