A TOWN mayor performed one of his more unusual civic duties this week.

Councillor David Blades, mayor of Northallerton used an electric razor to shave Laurell-Lea Hoath's head.

Miss Hoath is the manager of Northallerton charity Work-crafts, which provides courses in woodworking, furniture restoration and rug weaving for people with mental health problems.

The charity held an open day, on Monday, in Northallerton Town Hall, as part of World Mental Health Day. Miss Hoath decided to have her head shaved after a friend suggested it as a fundraising idea. So far, she has been pledged more than £400.

After the head-shave ceremony, she said: "That is certainly easier than holding a coffee morning, we usually only raise about £200 from those."

Coun Blades said: "If I can help to raise money for their charity it must be a good thing - it is all in the field of duty."