MOIRA McLaughlin is the 38th Mayor of Wirral.

The Labour councillor for Rock Ferry, a former nurse, was handed the chains of office by outgoing mayor Alan Jennings during a ceremony at Wallasey Town Hall on Monday night. Her daughter, Anna, was elected Mayoress.

Gerry Ellis, Conservative councillor for Hoylake and Meols, was appointed deputy Mayor. His wife Margaret is deputy Mayoress.

On her new role, Cllr McLaughlin told the Globe "I feel tremendously honoured. I know I'm going to need a lot of stamina for the job and I think I’ve got that."

Her chosen charities for the year are Age Concern Wirral's Devonshire Centre, St John's Hospice and Wirral Women and Children's Aid.

Cllr McLaughlin, who joined the Labour Party in 1979, said: "I'm really going to work hard to raise the profile of my charities.

"I feel tremendously honoured to have been given this role for the next year and I'll do it to the best of my ability.

"I never thought, for a minute, when I came on the council, that I would be in this position.

"As Wirral's ambassador you are there to show the borough in a good light, which I will do."

As well as the formal proceedings, there was also a reading from Wirral's Young Poet Laureate, Kim Morgan.

Providing the musical entertainment were Wirral Youth Swing Ensemble and Wirral Community Choir.

Before handing over the mayoral chains, Alan Jennings, former Liberal Democrat councillor for Clatterbridge, told the audience: "I wish Moira and Anna a happy year in office."

During his year as Mayor, more than £50,000 was raised for his chosen charities Help For Heroes, Forsight Appeal and Wirral Autistic Society.

He continued: "I thought I knew Wirral. But in my time as Mayor, I have learnt so much about the borough.

"I've had an enjoyable time as councillor. It's been an honour to represent Clatterbridge Ward."