WESTON'S new Mayor, Cllr John Crockford-Hawley, spent his first working day in office painting the walls of the town's old Weston Mercury building.

The Mayor, as well as the town's Deputy Mayor, Cllr Martin Williams and a group of town council employees, are part of a volunteer group dedicated in repainting the building, which is being turned into offices for Weston Town Council.

Posting on social media, Cllr Crockford-Hawley said: "Friday, May 17 was my first working day as Mayor and it was spent painting; not art but the decorating variety.

"The Deputy Mayor and I, along with a few other town councillors and a group of town council employees, are part of a volunteer team painting walls inside the old Mercury building which will soon open as the new Weston-super-Mare Town Council offices.

"The public won't see our white wall handiwork as we're relegated to the upper floors (don't they trust us?) but this bit of in-house painting is certainly saving a few pounds on the public purse.

"It's also a great way for councillors and staff to bond beyond the formality of council meetings."