Councillor Lee Vasey comes to the end of her term as Mayor of Darlington this week.

Tamasyn Guy-Jobson spoke to her about some of her most memorable experiences.

In the past 12 months, Mayor Lee Vasey has attended 325 public engagements, including an exhausting 28 in one week, but said she has loved every minute of it.

She has opened vintage car rallies, talked to community groups, read to children, and generally been the face of Darlington.

She said: "It was tiring at times, but I really found it was a breeze, really enjoyable.

"Being the mayor, you represent the people of Darlington. I got to go places where people of Darlington can't go. I am very fortunate to have met so many lovely people."

Coun Vasey, 55, has been on Darlington Borough Council since 1996 and represents the Eastbourne ward.

To mark the end of her year, she had her portrait drawn by participants at the Openart Studio, a group that uses art to help people overcome mental health problems.

She lives in Darlington with husband of 30 years, John. The couple have three children -Emma, 32, Jonathan, 21, and Michael, 14. The family also care for John's mother, Edna, 92.

Coun Vasey said there were many moments during her time as mayor she remembers fondly, but three stuck in her mind in particular.

She said: "The eVOLution (volunteering) awards in the new university building in Darlington was one of the best and funniest nights I have had.

"When I announced the winners and I opened the envelopes, it felt like I was Sandra Bullock at the Oscars."

She said she enjoyed being around children in her role, and said: "Children love the idea of the mayor coming to their school. One time, when I was reading My Hairy Toe to children at Middleton St George Primary School, it was so funny - a little boy kept edging closer and closer to see the pages.

"The story came up to its climax and I grabbed hold of him and said 'got your toe!'

"He got such a shock and everyone laughed for a good ten minutes; we were in hysterics."

One of the best moments she recalled was when the Bishop of Durham was welcomed to his new diocese in Croft, near Darlington, in November last year.

She said: "It was a Friday and it was really heaving down with rain. We left the town hall and arrived in Croft; all the roads were flooded.

"Then suddenly, when we got out of the car, the rain stopped and a rainbow came out.

"We walked up to the brow of the hill and could see the bishop coming from the other side towards us. We met in the middle and the atmosphere was electric, and then we exchanged the 13th Century falchion sword.

"As soon as we got back to the car, it started raining again. I said to the bishop, 'blimey, now I believe in miracles'."

Coun Vasey will perform her last civic duty tomorrow evening at the annual council meeting, where the new mayor will be chosen.