AN EAST Yorkshire town has elected its first Labour Mayor.

George McManus is the first Labour councillor to be made mayor in Pocklington Town Council's 150-year history. He received his chain of office in a mayor-making ceremony at Oak House, Pocklington's civic arts centre.

Councillor McManus, who has been a Pocklington town councillor for seven years, said: "My main priority is to promote the town as a place for people to live, bring up a family, do business, work and have a holiday. I am going to try and use my position as mayor to promote campaigns such as re-establishing a rail link for Pocklington.

"I am also going to make sure people are consulted on issues such as road safety in the town."

His chosen charity is the Suttle cancer appeal. Pocklington resident Ken Suttle, who recently received treatment for a cancer in his neck at York Hospital, is raising money for the hospital's maxillofacial unit and Coun McManus has pledged to help him during his year as mayor.

New deputy mayor, Maureen Wilkinson, has selected DEBRA, a local charity that raises money for research into genetic disorders especially in children, as her chosen charity.

Coun McManus, who is now the only Labour councillor on the town council, said he was looking forward to his mayoral year.

Updated: 10:59 Saturday, May 17, 2003