FROM office boy to the borough’s first citizen Clr Ted Finnegan’s journey to the top can inspire many.


Warrington born and bred in 1941 the Grappenhall and Thelwall councillor lived in a terraced house in Rolleston Street close to the town centre when he was young.


After starting work at 15 he moved on from office boy to a metal worker, then started selling welding products and taught people engineering repairs with the products he sold
He then went on to lead buying in four major international companies.


But his political life is all thanks to a work associate who signed him up for Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council, where he has lived since 1970 with wife Mavis.


Clr Finnegan said: “Just as we were having a bit of banter he said ‘just the two people I had wanted to see’. He asked us would you like to be parish councillors we said yes and couldn’t think why.


“Today I’m just glad to be part of a modern day, forward thinking council.


“It will be a great honour to serve the people of Warrington along with my wife Mavis as Mayoress and I am looking forward to getting started.”


It is not the first time high office has called for Clr Finnegan as he was previously Deputy Mayor in 2010. But he lost his Latchford West seat as he was about to take on the chains.


A year later he was elected to Grappenhall and Thelwall for the Liberal Democrats.


Clr Mike Biggin (LD - Grappenhall and Thelwall) who took up the role of Mayor that year, said: “I was speaking to someone about Ted and they said he is like a terrier because once he gets hold of something he won’t let go until it’s resolved.”


He was sworn in at the annual council meeting at the Town Hall on Monday.


Liberal Democrat Group Leader Clr Ian Marks (LD - Lymm) said: “Ted will not be put off when faced with a challenge.


“A typical way of getting round something is Ted going straight to the top.


“There was a sewage leak in Eastford Road and residents were having problems with the flies.
“Ted asked for a meeting with the chief executive of United Utilities and a team of people were dispatched to work.”


The Mayor’s charities for the year are Warrington Disability Partnership and Combat Stress.