NORTH Manor councillor Dorothy Gunther has been proposed as the next Mayor of Bury for the year 2017/18.

Cllr Gunther, aged 74, who lives in Summerseat with her husband Michael, will take over the chain of office from East ward councillor Mike Connolly in May.

She was first elected to Bury Council in 1992 for the Ramsbottom ward, and was then elected in 2004 to represent the newly-created ward of North Manor, which includes the

areas of Hawkshaw, Greenmount, Holcombe Brook, Summerseat, Walmersley and Nangreaves.

With nearly 23 years of service, she is the fourth longest serving councillor in Bury.

“It is a huge honour to serve as Mayor of Bury,” she said.

“I hope I can carry the office through with the dignity it deserves.

“I am particularly pleased that my husband will be joining me as my official consort.”

Cllr Gunther has served in a wide variety of roles on Bury Council, including as executive member for the environment.

She has also been a member of the planning, education and housing committees, and is currently chair of Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor Township Forum.

She spent her working life with Esso Petroleum, now Exxon Mobil, before taking early retirement and working on assignments with the probation service, the NHS and Railtrack, gaining experience in both the public and private sectors.

She is a governor of The Derby High School and Holcombe Brook Primary School and is involved in a number of voluntary organisations.