HE already has a personal assistant and a mayoress to help cope with his busy schedule.

Now the new Mayor of Bolton has enlisted the help of an unlikely bunch to ensure his year in office goes as smoothly as possible — 200 cuddly toys.

Cllr Norman Critchley, who took the chains of office last Wednesday, has bought a consignment of Mayor Bears which he is planning to sell in aid of his designated charities.

He said: “My wife Delyse, the mayoress, is a big fan of cuddly toys and there are quite a few bears around the house. She thought it would be a good idea for raising money. We decided to go ahead with it because it is something different and a bit of fun. We have paid for them ourselves so all the proceeds will go to the mayor’s charities.”

Cllr Critchley, who had a triple heart bypass 10 years ago, is raising funds for the Manchester Heart Centre, the Bolton Thoracic Medicine Unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital, Diabetes UK North West in memory of his friend, the late Honorary Alderman Donald Carr, and the Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter.

He said: “All of the charities are close to our hearts. The shelter is finding things difficult at the moment because the recession has seen an increase in people dumping animals.”

Cllr Critchley has spent much of the last week on civic duty and says he and his wife are enjoying the experience.

He said: “It has been very busy but it gives you a chance to see things to which you are otherwise oblivious, when you are on the council. We are really enjoying ourselves and meeting a lot of inspirational people.”

Anyone interested in buying one of the Mayor Bears, which are priced at £8.50, can do so by calling the mayor’s office on 01204 331057.