A COUNCILLOR of 31 years has been named the new mayor of east Cheshire.

Cllr Arthur Moran, Cheshire East Council member for Nantwich North and West, took over the chain from Cllr Olivia Hunter at the council’s annual meeting yesterday, May 17.

The 71-year-old was a Cheshire county councillor for 12 years, where he was made an honorary alderman, a Crewe and Nantwich Borough councillor for 13 years, and has been a member of CEC since its launch in 2009.

“If I can achieve only half of what Olivia has done as the present mayor, then I will feel that I have done a good job,” said Cllr Moran.

“I am very proud to have been asked to be the new mayor of the borough. I think it is important to continue the tradition of mayor and I look forward to representing the borough and our residents wherever I am invited to attend.”

A keen cyclist, Cllr Moran has also organised charity dance events with the Todd Miller and Joe Loss Orchestra for more than 20 years.

Along with his late wife Margaret, he has raised more than £30,000 for charities.

Cllr Moran has invited Carole Thomas, his close friend, to be his mayoress.

He has chosen Target Ovarian Cancer and the Leighton Hospital Prostate Cancer Support Group as his two charities for the year.

During her year in office Cllr Hunter, member for High Legh, raised more than £11,000 for her two chosen charities – The Christie and Cheshire Young Carers – which set a new record for a CEC mayor.

She added: “I wish Arthur well. It has been a magnificent year for me and the highlight has been all the wonderful people I have met.

“Meeting our school children at various events was great fun because they were always fascinated to learn about the role of the mayor and the regalia, such as the mace, that goes with it.”

Cllr Lesley Smetham, member for Gawsworth, takes on the role of deputy mayor and will assume the role of mayor in 2018.