Dolores O'Sullivan is the new Mayor of Trafford after an inauguration at the town hall.

Cllr O'Sullivan, a councillor for Stretford Ward then Flixton Ward since 2010, received the chains of office from Chris Boyes on Wednesday (May 24).

Mr Boyes is a tough act to follow, as the ex-councillor oversaw events such as an appearance by King Charles in Trafford Park, but there was a consensus at the town hall the new Mayor of Trafford is more than up to the task.

David Acton, who moved the motion for Cllr O'Sullivan to replace Mr Boyes, said: "Dolores has a strong record of service and leadership and I have no doubt she'll bring the same dedication and hard work to the role of mayor. 

"She is a strong advocate for the needs of our community and she'll be tireless in ensuring the voices of all of our communities are heard."

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Born in County Kerry in the Republic of Ireland, Cllr O'Sullivan moved to the UK in her 20s to work in construction and civil engineering.

As a single parent, she raised two children and is now a grandparent to two granddaughters and a grandson.

Elected to Stretford Ward in 2010, then to Flixton Ward two years ago after boundary changes, Cllr O'Sullivan has worked with community organisations and charity organisations on a number of important issues.

She has worked as a school governor at Our Lady of the Rosary RC Primary School, St Margaret Ward RC Primary School and Urmston Primary School, and as a parish registrar at St John Henry Newman.

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On Wednesday, she said: "It is an honour and I am so looking forward to meeting the community groups that make Trafford one of the best in the country, meeting the friends groups that make Trafford cleaner and greener, and meeting the many, many people who care and share their time to help to improve this borough. 

"As JFK said, ask not what your country can do you for you, but what you can do for your country. I'll do my best to fulfil my role as Mayor of Trafford."

The new mayor chose Joan Smith to be her consort. Her charities of choice are Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), Little Green Sock Project and Trafford Domestic Abuse Services. 

The new deputy mayor is Amy Whyte. She chose Sarah Hooks to be her deputy consort.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.