Members of Erewash Borough Council last night elected Cllr Mrs Val Clare as Mayor and first citizen of the Borough for the ensuing civic year. The ceremony at Long Eaton Town Hall also saw Cllr Kewal Athwal elected as Deputy Mayor for the ensuing civic year.

Cllr Mrs Clare was first elected as Borough Councillor for the Draycott Ward in 2007. She has been a Parish Councillor in Draycott for many years and has been a school governor locally for around 30 years. Val is a quallified radiographer and has worked at hospital's across the county of Derbyshire and currently runs a family catering business in Derby.

Cllr Mrs Clare will be supported in her duties by her Daughter Mrs Hayley Bradly throughout the coming year.

Cllr Athwal is a Borough Councillor for the Wilsthorpe Ward and was also first elected in 2007 and has served as Vice Chairman of the Licensing Committee and Drivers Panel on Erewash Borough Council. Kewal has lived locally in Erewash since 1973 and his children were educated locally in Long Eaton. Kewal also runs his textile business locally in Long Eaton.

Cllr Athwal will be supported in his duties over the coming year by his wife and other members of his family.

The Mayors Chaplain will be the Reverend Garry Dundass, Assistant Curate at Stanton by Dale, Dale Abbey and Risley. The Mayor's principal charity for the ensuing year will be Treetops Hospice in Risley, Cllr Mrs Clare has always worked closely with Treetops Hospice and was in fact at the inaugural meeting of the charity.

Erewash Conservative Association would like to wish the Mayor and Deputy Mayor and their respective families the best of luck for the ensuing year and thank Cllr Jenifer Hulls and her husband Bob, the retiring Mayor and consort for two years of loyal and committed service.