YORK'S next Lord Mayor will be city councillor Janet Greenwood.

Janet hands the chains of office over to Janet in May - when standing Labour mayor Janet Looker makes way for her Liberal Democrat successor.

Coun Greenwood, a mother-of-two, whose nomination to the civic post was confirmed at this week's full council meeting, said she was honoured to be chosen.

"I hope it's going to be a very busy and exciting year," she told the Evening Press, adding that Royal Ascot in York this June would be one of the highlights of her year on the "chain gang". The 60-year-old, a retired British Telecom worker, represents Derwent Ward, and has sat on City of York Council since 1999. She has lived in Dunnington for about 40 years, and was Sheriff of the city in 2001/02. Her husband, Michael, will be her consort.

Current Lord Mayor Looker hit the news last year when her husband refused to take the consort role due to his political views.

Fellow Liberal Democrat member Gil Nimmo will be the new Sheriff, the council has confirmed.

Updated: 10:11 Friday, January 28, 2005