THE outgoing Mayor of Great Aycliffe has raised more than £2,500 for charity during his year in office.

Councillor Michael Dalton chose the Princess Royal Trust Sedgefield Locality Carers Centre as his cause for the year.

And following a hectic round of fundraising events, he was able to hand over a cheque for £2,630 to representatives from the centre.

Coun Dalton said he had been "grateful and proud" to serve as mayor for the past year and thanked everybody who had helped him during his term.

Sue Orton from the council said: "I'd like to thank everybody for supporting the charity and all the events Michael's done over the year.

"It will be put to a lot of good and benefit a lot of the carers in the borough of Sedgefield."

Councillor Bob Fleming praised Coun Dalton and his mother Councillor Mary Dalton, his consort for the year, for their contribution.

He said: "Michael has performed the job in the most admirable fashion.

"He has been the first citizen of Aycliffe and has represented this council in a most excellent way."

He said: "Members of other authorities speak very highly of him and I think this council owes a vote of thanks to Michael Dalton and his mother Mary."