DISABLED sports-mad youngsters, first-aiders and unselfish carers will not forget Millennium Mayor Bill Smith.

The Tyldesley man and Hindsford councillor announced his charities at yesterday's (Wednesday) Mayor-making ceremony in Wigan Council Chamber.

The Borough's St John Ambulance divisions, Sportmobility - which provides special wheelchairs for disabled sportsmen and women - and the Leigh & Wigan branch of carers' care group, Crossroads, will all benefit from his fund-raising.

And Cllr Smith and his wife, Mayoress and fellow ward councillor Evelyne, will be doing their upmost to boost all three causes.

As successors to another Tyldesley Mayoral duo, ex-councillor Sam and Mrs Nancy Little, they are looking forward to their year in office.

The Mayor said: "I'm over recent health problems and we're looking forward to the coming year.

"Evelyne (who had just popped out to do some craft work with locals at Hindsford family centre) has taken it all in her stride."

Seventy-two year-old Bill has represented Hindsford on Wigan Council since 1982. He stepped into the political limelight following the death of Cllr Matt Devlin.

Previously he had been involved through his active membership of the NUM, as chairman of Tyldesley Trades and Labour Council, later as chairman of the Friends of Astley Hospital.

He also served 16 years as a magistrate.

Bill Smith grew up in Tyldesley. At 14 he started work at Caleb Wright's mill, but later went into mining.

He started work as a ropesplicer at Astley Green pit, and later represented Astley Green on the NUM's local executive.

When Astley Green pit closed in 1970 Bill transferred to Agecroft and 12 years later left the industry.

The Mayor and Mayoress fittingly met during an opening ceremony where late Mayor Peter Hull was doing the honours.

They married in 1986 and last year Evelyne was elected to the Council.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.