BORN in Huyton, lived in West Derby, but a 'naturalised Sintelliner' after living in the town for the past 30 years!

That is newly-elected mayor, Councillor Keith Roberts, who was installed as the town's first citizen as successor to Councillor Pat Robinson at the annual mayor-making ceremony at the town hall.

The resolution was formerly moved by Labour elder statesman Jim Caunce, who said he was confident that Councillor Roberts and his wife and mayoress Linda would uphold the the dignity of the high office

Aged 53, Counciller Roberts is the father of Paul and Joanne and grandfather of Rebecca and Catherine. His mother Margaret was Merseyside agent to Prime Minister Harold Wilson in the 1960s.

In his earlier life, Keith served in the Merchant Navy for four years before working for Plesseys, Edge Lane, and then spent 24 years 'on the buses' in St Helens before retiring in 1998 for health reasons.

Councillor Roberts has been a Labour Party stalwart for more than 20 years and served as shop steward in both the EEPTU and TGWU. He was first elected to the council for Blackbrook ward in 1993 and then Broad Oak, which he still represents.

He is a member of the Planning Committee and is the council representative on Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority, where he holds special responsibility for education.

Councillor Roberts previously served as a governor for Richard Evans, Legh Vale and Haydock High schools. He is currently deputy chair of Broad Oak primary school and a member the governing body of Parr High school.

The new mayor has chosen the second phase of the Millennium Centre as the focus of his financial appeal.