A NEW mayor has been chosen, but the ownership of the title hangs in the balance until the election results are revealed.

Gordon Stone, 63, has been a town councillor for Church Ward for just two years, since winning the position in a by-election.

In that time, he has gone on to become the deputy mayor and, on Monday night, was voted by fellow town councillors to fill the leading role.

He said: “When I won the by-election it was on the turn of the card.

“It’s quite surprising that I have been elected [as mayor] within two years. It’s a honour.

“I have been deputy mayor for the last year, representing Horwich at a number of major functions in Bolton, Adlington and Westhoughton.”

In the role, Cllr Stone says he would like to promote Horwich even more. He has already made his mark in the community as a member of Horwich RMI Harriers.

He said: “I’ve spent 30 years pushing the running club, I want to promote the town to the level it should be. There’s always interesting things going on.”

However, Cllr Stone will have to wait to see if he can take up the ceremonial mayor’s chain.

Before the decision is made official, Cllr Stone will remain mayor-elect until the May town council elections

Cllr Stone, a Liberal Democrat, is campaigning for re-election in the Church Ward.

He said: “I’m hopeful, but it’s not a forgone conclusion. But people know me in Church Ward and I know them.”

Cllr Stone has been helping to organise the upcoming Horwich Festival of Racing and music festival.

The other candidates standing in the Church Ward elections are Marie Brady, Horwich and Blackrod First Independents, Richard Silvester, Labour and Co-Operative Party, and Kevin John Walsh, Liberal Democrats.