COUNCILLOR Eric Hacker was elected as the Vale Mayor for the forthcoming year at the council's AGM last Wednesday (May 23).

Cllr Hacker is a Llantwit First Independent councillor from Llantwit Major, and his wife Heather is mayoress. Penarth's Stanwell ward councillor Janice Birch was named deputy mayor.

The newly elected mayor's three chosen charities are the Stroke Association (Bridgend County branch), Prostate Cancer and Help For Heroes.

The chaplain, for the second consecutive year, is the Rev Huw Butler, Rector of St Illtyd's church, Llantwit Major.

The civic service will take place there with a reception at St Donat's Castle on Sunday, September 23.

Outgoing mayor, former Cllr John Clifford, raised £13,203.19 for his charities Myeloma UK, Action For Children and Llamau during his year in office.