THE outgoing mayor of Skipton has been praised by her expected successor.

Councillor Sheila Bentley, speaking at her last full meeting of Skipton Town Council before she ends her term of office in May, told councillors she had very much enjoyed her year as mayor, and had done her best to represent the town.

At yesterday's (Thursday)  meeting in the town hall council chamber, she thanked the council staff for helping her during the year and for 'most' of the councillors.

She also thanked deputy mayor, Cllr Peter Madeley for keeping her on the right track and also praised ex-servicemen Barry Blood and John Kerwin-Davy for cleaning up the town's war memorial for Remembrance.

Her many duties during her year in office have included opening shops, being a judge at Skipton Car Show, attending Sheep Day, attending a regimental family day at Marne Barracks and visiting Menwith Hill, as well as raising and lowering the flag over the town hall. Her last duty will be to attend the North Yorkshire Chairman's annual civic service at St Oswald's Church, Horton.

Cllr Peter Madeley, who if everything goes to plan will replace Cllr Bentley as mayor at the annual meeting of the council in May, said Cllr Bentley had attended all her civic duties always wearing a 'lovely hat' and had done a 'fantastic job'.

"It's not always easy, and there have been times when I have been awkward, but she has always done a fantastic job. Its a difficult job to chair meetings, but Sheila has done very well indeed to control people like me and she has always done it with great humour."

He added: "She has represented the town very well, we could not have asked for a better mayor."

Cllr Bentley responded that she had always tried to do her best. She said: "The staff have been excellent, and most of the councillors."

Thursday's full meeting of the council was attended by six councillors, including the mayor and deputy mayor. Seven members gave their apologies, which were accepted; and one was absent.