APPLEBY town councillor Stan Rooke and his wife Rita officially accepted a second term of office as Appleby-in-Westmorland's Mayor and Mayoress at the traditional Mayor Making ceremony in the Moot Hall.

Eden District and Appleby town councillor Ella Langan proposed Coun Rooke and was seconded by Coun Hughie Potts. Coun Langan told the council and public at the meeting: "The last 12 months have been a difficult year and we can thank Stan Rooke for his calm, clear-headed leadership for emerging stronger than ever. Being mayor is a challenging and demanding role and Stan Rooke has had great success with the support of his wife, Rita as mayoress."

There was a unanimous vote in favour of Coun Rooke continuing as mayor for 2007. The council also elected unanimously Coun Clare Patterson to the post of vice chairman with the style of deputy town mayor. The sword and mace-bearers Mike Graham and David Johnston agreed to continue in their posts. The Rev Roger Collinson also agreed to continue serving as council chaplain.

The Mayor's Luncheon, held at the Tufton Arms, was attended by the chairman of Eden District Council, Coun Gordon Savage, and the chairman of Cumbria County Council, Coun Alan Toole.

Former London policeman Stan Rooke thanked father of the council Keith Morgan and deputy mayor Clare Patterson for their guidance and support during his first term of office.

The Mayor, who regularly greets coach parties stopping off in the town, to give them a guided tour of the Moot Hall and a potted history of Appleby, vowed to continue to encourage more coach companies to bring visitors.

He said: "People say they learn more about the history of Appleby in half an hour than they know about their own town.

"People who visit comment on what a beautiful town we have. The constant thing about Appleby is the friendliness of the people."