THE borough's new mayor has been sworn into office and has chosen to help people suffering from Parkinson's disease and diabetes over the next 12 months.

Cllr Bill Clarke was formally elected at today’s full council meeting in Wigan Town Hall.

He takes over the reins from Cllr Ron Conway and has selected Parkinson's UK and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as the charities he will raise money for during his term of office.

The former is a Parkinson's disease research and support charity and the latter funds research to cure, treat and prevent type one diabetes.

Cllr Clarke said: "I wanted to support these two charities because they do not have the high profile of some others and I hope to make people more aware of them.

"I hope all members will help to support these two worthy charities where possible.”

The mayor of the Wigan borough and his wife Joan, the new mayoress, will not host a Civic Sunday service this year.

A former Rotary club president, Cllr Clarke’s first act as mayor will see him open new outdoor gym equipment for public use at Astley Street Park tomorrow, Thursday.

The Ashton ward councillor, who was elected to Wigan Council in 2012, said: “I am very proud and excited to have been given the opportunity to fulfil the role of mayor and I look forward to stepping into Cllr Conway’s shoes.

“I would like to say thank you to my family and friends, who have joined me in this honour, and to the residents of the borough for being so welcoming.

"I love being a councillor and having a good relationship with our residents.

"I hope to continue with this work while I am mayor.”

The new deputy mayor is Cllr Sue Greensmith, who represents the Leigh East ward.

She has been a councillor since 2008.