THE Lord Mayor of York has revealed his New Year’s resolution is to shed weight – after he piled on ELEVEN POUNDS since he took on the top job.

But Coun John Galvin says he will have to defer putting the resolution into practice until after he hands over the chain of office in the spring.

He told today how he is constantly offered nibbles, sandwiches, delicacies, cakes, mince pies and sweetmeats as he goes about his business as Lord Mayor, attending receptions and opening places, and all that food was playing havoc with his waistline.

“As a great lover of mincemeat, sweetmeats and such delicacies, I find it very hard to refuse,” said Coun Galvin, who represents Bishopthorpe on City of York Council. “I enjoy my dessert sweets very much.

“The sweetmeats sand sandwiches always seem to contain the biggest amount of calories,” he said.

“I thought I might have put some weight on but got a shock when I stepped on the scales and found just how much. I’m about 16 stone now.

“I’m going to have to work on shedding this weight, but don’t think it’s going to be practicable while I remain Lord Mayor.

“Come the spring, I’m going to have to get out there and get some exercise.”

Coun Galvin stressed he was not complaining about his job as Lord Mayor of York, which he found hugely enjoyable.

“I cannot begin to explain how much joy I get out of this,” he said. “We get a tremendous reception from people and we try to put a bit of sparkle into things.”

He said he must have already attended two or three hundred functions, with several months still to go in office, ranging from dinners to book launches and shop openings, with many events involving local charities.