A new Mayor of the city is set to take over the chains come May.

Labour councillor Brian Rollo is ready to take up the role as councillor John Collins – the current Mayor – comes to the end of his year in office.

The ceremonial role means councillor Rollo, who represents the Ribbleton ward, has to stand down as chair of the planning committee. He has chaired the planning committee for more than a decade.

He said: “I am looking forward to being Mayor of Preston.

“It’s going to be a big change, and will be much busier than Deputy Mayor.

“I found out about the new Mayoralty about a week ago and I am very pleased for Trevor becoming deputy mayor too and his new position.”

Cllr Brian Rollo has been Deputy Mayor since 2016 and is due to become the 690th Mayor of Preston during the Mayor making ceremony in May.

The Conservative Group on Preston City Council have warmly welcomed the unanimous voting of councillor Trevor Hart as the new Deputy Mayor 2017 and Mayor 2018.

The Conservative Councillor represents the Lea ward and used to work as a teacher and headteacher in Preston.

Read more: What Prestonians think to new political boundaries for the city

Cllr Hart said: “I was delighted to be selected by the Conservative Group to hold the position of Deputy Mayor in 2017/18 and Mayor of Preston in 2018/19.

“I consider it to be an honour and privilege to serve the residents of Preston.

“Having attended Ashton High School as a pupil and W.R.Tuson College (Preston’s College) before going off to Ambleside to train as a Teacher, I have a true affiliation to Preston.

“I am looking forward to supporting the growth of Preston as a city, to meeting representatives from Business promoting our City, also meeting the young in Preston where I hope to visit many of our schools, as an ex headteacher from one of out city’s schools I should like to share my year with the next generation to celebrate Preston.

“I also wish to support our hospitals and care services as this is an area that has been very important to me over the last few years.

“Preston is a truly great City and there is no greater honour than to serve as Deputy Mayor and then Mayor of our City.”

Cllr Christine Abram, who also represents the Lea Ward, said: “Cllr Hart is a valued member of the Conservative Group and we are absolutely sure that he will bring his own expertise and professional background to the Mayorality.

“He will be an asset to Preston City and promote the city whenever and wherever he can.”

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