WARRINGTON’S new Mayor is hoping the legacy of his predecessor will guide him in his new role.

Clr Mike Biggin will officially become the town’s first citizen next Monday, May 23.

Yet he only found out he would take the role on Tuesday, after Ted Finnegan, who had been deputy, lost his seat on Warrington Borough Council in Thursday’s local elections.

Clr Biggin said: “It is a fantastic honour and privilege to take the role. But it is obviously tinged with sadness for Ted and Mavis (his wife).

“He has put in so much effort as deputy Mayor and in his ward.”

Clr Biggin, who represents Grappenhall and Thelwall and won his seat comfortably on Thursday, will serve with wife Trisha as Mayoress.

May has been an emotional month for the couple as they marked what would have been the 24th birthday of daughter Gemma on May 1.

She was killed in 2004 along with friend Stephen Abbott after the car she was travelling in went into the Bridgewater Canal following a crash on Stockton Lane.

“It has been quite a few weeks for us,” Clr Biggin said.

He said he hoped to be a good mayor like former Grappenhall and Thelwall councillor Ted Lafferty, who had the role in 2004.

Clr Biggin, who will celebrate his 60th birthday in August, said: “I have always tried to follow his example as a councillor and will do the same as Mayor.”

A former executive member for public protection and climate change, Clr Biggin has also worked in children’s services. The new Mayor and Mayoress will celebrate the role with sons Julian and Christian.

Julian, aged 36, is a bomb disposal expert with the Parachute regiment based in Tunbridge Wells and has done tours in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Christian, aged 19, is a trainee electrician and is in well known local bands Petrol Box and White House.

Clr Biggin said his charity work during his year as Mayor will focus on supporting causes for the armed forces.

l See full local election coverage and results on pages 9-11.