LABOUR councillor Stuart Egan has been chosen to serve as Barry Town Mayor for 2008/09, following his election to the Town Council earlier this month.

Cllr Howard Hamilton, who was also elected onto the Town Council on May 1, was voted in as Deputy Mayor.

Both appointments caused controversy among opposition Town Councillors, who nominated Conservative Tony Hampton, as a member who has served the town for 25 years.

Town Mayor, Cllr Egan said: "It is a great honour and privilege for me to be made Mayor of Barry.

"Although I may be a novice, as far as politics is concerned I know what the residents of Barry require of their town members.

"I know the views of the people who have elected me, and the residents of Barry elected a majority group on this council."

The Mayor's consort will be Tina Bower and the Deputy Mayor's consort will be Carol Hamilton.

The Mayor's chosen charities will be the Barry-based Vale of Glamorgan Women's Aid and Marie Curie Hospice, Penarth (Holme Tower).

The Reverend Clive Jones will be the Chaplain for the forthcoming year.

Guests and councillors earlier observed a minute's silence in memory of Fred Cook, the first mayor of Barry Town Council, who died aged 96 at the College Fields Nursing Home on May 8.