BOLTON Council will choose the town's next mayor on Wednesday as the authority gears up to seek views on the future of the post.

This year's selection to succeed current mayor Cllr Alan Wilkinson will be made shortly before Bolton people are asked whether they want an American-style elected mayor.

Mayors are currently chosen for their length of service with the council, although some councillors have repeatedly turned down the role.

It is thought Blackrod councillor Kevin Helsby is the front runner to take over as mayor next May.

Traditional-style mayors have steered clear of party political squabbles to concentrate on their role as a civic figurehead.

Attending events and raising funds for the mayor's charity -- this year the Gift of Life appeal to boost kidney donors -- have packed the mayor's diary.

Cllr Wilkinson told the BEN: "It's been very hectic but it's been a great honour to be mayor.

"People are pleased when we go along to events because it helps raise their profile."

So non-political has the mayor's post become that successive first citizens have declined to discuss the issue of an elected version.

But future mayors could take on a radically different role if a huge survey finds most respondents want to follow London's lead by having an elected mayor.

If there is a consensus in favour of an all-powerful mayor when results are published in June, a referendum would automatically be triggered.

It is thought an elected mayor, who would have powers similar to those of Ken Livingstone, would command a salary of around £80,000.

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, who is supervising the consultation process, has described choosing how the council will be run as "probably the most important decision we have ever put before the people of Bolton".

The annual selection of the first citizen, which usually takes place in January, has been brought forward a month.

Changes to the town hall calendar mean the whole council does not meet again until February and it was decided the new mayor would need time to prepare for the role.