The next Lord Mayor of York is to be Irene Waudby, the Liberal Democrat who represents the Rawcliffe and Skelton ward in the city.

Coun Waudby, whose son, Mark, is a councillor for the same ward, was proposed by Liberal Democrat leader Coun Steve Galloway at last night's full meeting of the City of York Council.

Coun Waudby said: "It is a great honour to be chosen to represent the city."

She was first elected to Rawcliffe Parish Council in 1987.

In 1989, she won a place on North Yorkshire County Council, representing the area, which then took in Rawcliffe, Skelton and Clifton Without. Then in 1995, she won a seat on the shadow City of York Council, which she kept in the local elections of 1999, and has sat on several bodies involved with social services, community affairs and safety.

Married with two children, she has lived in the area for many years, and her 20 years of voluntary work includes long service with the Guide Association for which she acts as a Brown Owl.

Coun Waudby will take up her new role in May next year.

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