PHIL Hayward, Didcot’s new mayor, is planning a sponsored walk around the town’s primary and secondary schools to raise funds for charities.

Mr Hayward, 63, who lives in Ouse Close on the town’s Ladygrove estate, will embark on the walk to raise funds for the three charities he has chosen for his year in office.

The charities are Diabetes UK, the Teenage Cancer Trust and The Felix Fund, which supports injured bomb disposal troops, including those from 11 EOD Regiment at Vauxhall Barracks, in Foxhall Road, Didcot.

The father-of-two, who works at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory’s space science department, said: “I would like to set up a sponsored walk for the three charities, and the route could take in all the schools, although I don’t have a date for it yet.

“During my year in office I want to link up with youth organisations in the town and visit all the schools.”

Mr Hayward was elected mayor at the Willowbrook Leisure Centre last week, taking over from John Flood. The new deputy mayor is Peter Read.

Mr Hayward, who moved to Didcot from Warrington 12 years ago and has been a town councillor for four years, said: “John Flood did a great job in his year as mayor so I have a hard act to follow.

“He has worked hard for the town for 25 years.

“Didcot is doing very well at the moment and I will try to promote it as best I can.

“I have already been to Meylan, Didcot’s twin town in France, and spoke French for the first time.”

Mr Hayward said he was looking forward to the reopening of the Civic Hall in Britwell Road in August following a £1.3m refurbishment. He said: “There will be a new entrance off Broadway and the extension can be divided up to accommodate small groups.

“There will be more space and more meeting rooms that we can let out to the community and I hope the new hall will be very well used.”