A LONG-SERVING councillor looked forward to a year of anniversaries as he previewed his time as mayor of Darlington.

Cllr Tom Nutt was sworn in as mayor at the annual meeting of Darlington Borough Council on Thursday (May 21) evening, replacing Gerald Lee.

The new mayor, who has been a councillor since 2002, will be assisted by his wife Gill as mayoress.

Addressing the council chamber, Cllr Nutt said: "In the summer, one of our great employers, Cummins, celebrates 50 years in Darlington.

"In the autumn, our libraries celebrate 130 years and at the end of September, we celebrate the 190th anniversary of the first steam passenger train between Darlington and Stockton.

"That special weekend coincides with the Festival of Thrift, which promises to be better than ever this year."

Cllr Nutt was nominated as mayor by fellow Labour councillor Chris McEwan, a move seconded by Conservative group leader Heather Scott.

The mayor added that he was hopeful Darlington FC would return to the town during his mayoral year, following a three-year exile in Bishop Auckland.

Husband and wife councillors Brian and Doris Jones will serve as deputy mayor and deputy mayoress for 2015/16.

Later in the meeting, Cllr Bill Dixon was formally confirmed as leader of the council for another four-year term.