A PARTY is being held this weekend to celebrate the success of man from the North-East who is currently serving as the Lord Mayor of Leeds.

Tom Murray left his home town of Consett in 1968 to study metallurgy at Leeds University.

He became a school teacher then a councilor and is now the ceremonial leader of Leeds City Council.

Family and friends are gathering at The Steel Club in Consett this Saturday evening to welcome him back to the area.

Coun Murray, 64, said: “You never forget your roots. They make you what you are. I am proud I come from a steel town.”

Mr Murray met his wife Edna, who is now the Lady Mayoress, when they were teenagers and she joined him in Leeds when he was a student.

They have been married for 42 years and have two children, Helen and Colin, and six grandchildren.

Edna studied at Leeds University and York University as a mature student and has worked for Leeds City Council Social Care in safeguarding children for over 25 years.

After graduating and completing a post graduate teaching certificate, Coun Murray taught science years in secondary education.

He eventually left teaching to devote his time to local politics.

He said: “Being the Lord Mayor of Leeds is clearly an honour. We get invited to lots of things and it is amazing to see what people do and how they make the city tick. It was never part of a big plan but the work we have done in the city has given us that honour.”