A LABOUR stalwart is the new first citizen of Kirklees.

Clr Eric Firth was yesterday elected unopposed to serve as Mayor of Kirklees for the next 12 months.

The Dewsbury man was joined by Golcar Lib Dem Clr Christine Iredale, who was elected Deputy Mayor at the annual Kirklees Council meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall.

Speaking immediately after his election, Clr Firth said: “Comrades, colleagues, thanks very much for making this a special day for myself.

“I’m looking forward to visiting all parts of the borough in the next year.”

Clr Firth announced that the mayor’s charity for the next year will be the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Trust, which is raising money for a children’s hospice and respite centre at Brackenhall.

The mayor challenged all 69 councillors to raise as much money as possible for the good cause in the next three months.

“I hope you will make this a special year for the Forget Me Not Trust,” he told fellow councillors.

Clr Firth’s wife of 41 years, Janet, will serve as mayoress for the year.

The couple have two children and two grandchildren.

Clr Firth is Dewsbury born and bred and left school at 15 to train as a painter and decorator.

The Dewsbury Rams fan was chairman of his local branch of the trade union Unite for more than 20 years.

He was first elected to represent Dewsbury East in 1994. Clr Firth lost his seat in 2006 but won it back the following year.