NEW mayors are being elected across Bolton after the recent town council elections.

On Monday night, Westhoughton had its own mayor making, naming the town mayor and chairman of the town council.

Cllr David Wilkinson was elected to take the mayor position.

This will be Cllr Wilkinson's third time in the role, he will be taking over from Arthur Price, who held the mayoral position last year.

In his acceptance speech, Cllr Wilkinson expressed his gratitude at being chosen to be the next leader.

Stepping into the role of deputy town mayor and vice chair of the town council is Cllr Bernadette Eckersley-Fallon.

She said: "I feel really honoured. I really love my ward and I'm looking forward to bringing the council together."

Cllr Wilkinson also acknowledged the split vote across the town council, with some members choosing other candidates for the positions.

Cllr Wilkinson said: "Obviously, we've had a split vote tonight, these things happen.

"I hope that we can all work together for the benefit of this town. That is what we are here for. As town mayor I'd encourage all of you to be fully involved not only in the activity of the town council, but in the activity and life of our community."

The new mayor announced Bolton Lads and Girls Club and Senior Solutions will be his chosen charities while he is the figurehead of the town council.

He said: "They will represent the young and the elderly.

"[Bolton Lads and Girls Club] do fantastic work and are supported by the Westhoughton Town Council in doing so.

"[Senior Solutions] has expanded and does a lot more for a lot more people not just in Westhoughton, as it originally was.

"They go to visit people in their own homes who may have no contact with other members of the community."

The pair were joined for their inauguration by a fellow newly-elected town mayor, Horwich's Gordon Stone and outgoing Bolton mayor Elaine Sherrington.