A TOWN councillor has made a little bit of local history – after being elected as mayor for the third time.

John Forrest, 70, has been chosen as the mayor of Northallerton for the third consecutive time with Ken Archer as his deputy – also for the third time in a row.

Cllr Forrest – who served for 31 years as a special constable – said he enjoyed the role and would continue to work in the interests of local people.

The town council has also said farewell to long-serving members Sally Anderson and John Coulson – both former mayors themselves – and Charlie Turner, who has been a member for three years.

Their decisions to step down – along with an existing vacancy on the authority – means the council now wants to co-opt four new members.

Those interested should write, in confidence, to assistant town clerk Kay Lambert, stating their reasons for wanting to join the council, by noon on June 10. The decisions will be made at the town council meeting on June 15.