WARRINGTON'S mayor is on track to raise a staggering £60,000 for his selected charities in his year with the ceremonial chains.

Mayor Cllr Faisal Rashid's twelve months in the role will come to an end on May 22, after which he will turn all his attention to his duties as Labour borough councillor for Chapelford and Old Hall.

During the year he decided to throw his support behind Brainwave, St Rocco's Hospice, the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace and Warrington Disability Partnership.

But he added to his selected charities after also pledging his support to the YMCA, Warrington Foodbank, Refuge UK and Warrington Charities Trust.

He confirmed he is on track to raise more than £60,000 for them in total.

A total of at least £10,000 will be given to each of the first four charities, with the rest of the funds to be spread across the other organisations.

Cllr Rashid, who is the town's first Asian mayor, has thanked the public for their support in the past year.

He said: "It has been really difficult and tough but we have enjoyed it.

"We have seen the 'real' Warrington in the past year.

"It is unbelievable to see first hand the tremendous efforts going on in this town and work from volunteers to make the lives of others better.

"I still have some time left and I am looking forward to what is ahead.

"We have raised a lot of money for the charities – we are on track to raise more than £60,000. Thank you everyone."

The mayor is bringing his year in office to an end in style by celebrating the work of residents who 'make a real difference to others'.

Nominations for the Mayoral Annual Celebration and Achievement Awards 2017 have opened.

The free event takes place on May 19 at St Elphin's Parish Church, on Church Street, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

The event will build on the success of last year's achievement awards at the Town Hall, which celebrated the borough's 'wonderful volunteers' and 'community champions'.

There are no specific categories, with Cllr Rashid hoping to reward 'as many heroes and heroines as possible'.

He added: "The past year has shown me the wonderful generosity and community spirit that exists here in Warrington.

"That's why I can't think of a better way of bringing my year in office to a close than thanking all those selfless people who make Warrington such a wonderful place to live."

To reserve a spot head to warrington.gov.uk/mayor, or for further information e-mail dwhite@warrington.gov.uk.