REDCAR and Cleveland Councils mayors chaplain is retiring after serving under four different leaders.

The vicar of Marske, the Rev David Lambert was invited by the borough mayors, all of different political parties, to work with them.

Current mayor councillor Mike Findley held a civic reception on Wednesday (FEB 18) to honour his service.

Councillor Garth Houchen, mayor in 1998/1999, and serving councillors Norah Cooney mayor in 2003/2004 and Madge Moses Mayor in 2004/2005, together with coun Findley have all requested his help over the years.

Coun Findley said: "I think David is unique in that he has been the mayor's chaplain four times, and each mayor has been from a different political group."

The duties of the mayor's chaplain are to offer the mayor guidance and spiritual support, officiating at the annual mayor's Sunday service and attending the six-weekly council meetings, saying a prayer before the start of business.

Mr Lambert, who will officially retire on February 28, first came to St Mark's, Marske as a curate in 1967, stayed for five years before leaving to become the vicar of North Ormesby for 13 years, returning to St Mark's as vicar in 1985.

He said: "I've enjoyed being Mayor's chaplain - otherwise I wouldn't have done it for four different Mayors.

"I'm a political animal, so the hardest thing has been keeping my mouth shut at council meetings.

"It's been fascinating watching the different mayors and how they handle the meetings in their different ways."