YOUNG people's champion in Pickering, grandmother Julie Hepworth, is to become its mayor.

Currently the deputy mayor, Councillor Hepworth of Eastgate, Pickering, was a personnel manager for Tesco in London before moving to the market town.

She is trustee and fundraising co-ordinator for the local Playing Fields Association, and a leading figure in both the Pickering Community Events and Youth Events Groups.

Coun Hepworth also played a role in organising the popular Celebration of Youth festivals in Pickering and in running parenting workshops.

Her aspirations for Pickering in her year of office include seeing steps taken to provide more affordable housing in the town which she says is a priority, and enhancing facilities for young people.