THE new mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Coun Eric Jackson, was installed yesterday - and it was all very familiar territory for his mayoress, Coun Brenda Forster.

Not only did she serve as borough mayor from 1992-3, she also acted as mayoress to Coun Les Mortan in 1986-7.

Coun Eric Jackson, of Loftus ward, took up his post at the annual council meeting in the James Finegan Hall, Eston, watched by his proud 93-year-old mother, Bessie Jackson.

He intends to dedicate his year in office to raising the borough's tourism profile. "I hope to spotlight a number of attractions in the area, especially after all the problems of foot-and-mouth, and some of the less well-known ones too," said the 61-year-old bachelor.

His three main charity choices are the Teesside-based Epilepsy Outlook, the area's three community hospitals - East Cleveland at Brotton, Stead at Redcar and Guisborough - and the Tom Leonard Mining Museum at Skinningrove.

Coun Foster, who represents Kirkleatham ward, said: "I am very proud to be Eric's mayoress. He is a lovely man, a gentleman and it will be a pleasure to work with him."

The deputy mayor is Coun Wendy Wall, of Normany, whose husband, Michael, will act as deputy mayor's escort.