THE CONTROVERSIAL Mayor of Worcester has finally settled on a date for his annual civic service - and it'll be EIGHT months later than first planned.

Councillor Alan Amos' major 2014 bash, which was shelved in June because he went on holiday, will now not take place until February next year.

Worcester City Council, which has been embroiled in trying to arrange a new slot ever since the first one was scrapped, yesterday revealed it had settled on the fresh date after negotiations with the Cathedral.

Your Worcester News understand the council was hoping to schedule it for the end of September, but could not agree a date because the Cathedral's packed timetable only had time for an evening slot.

It will be the biggest delay to the city's civic service ever, and is so late in the mayoral calendar it means Worcester is likely to stage two in 2015, as it normally takes place every June.

When this summer's one was shelved the council had to write to more than 100 magistrates, judges, former mayors, community leaders, councillors, dignitaries and assorted VIPs from around Worcestershire to tell them.

The city's mayor was facing more criticism yesterday as Labour councillors said they would still boycott the event, set for Sunday February 8.

Labour Councillor Richard Boorn said: "I'd hate to think what this has all cost the council to sort out.

"I won't be going anywhere near it, I've said I'd rather stick pins in my eyes."

Cllr Amos has also revealed he has settled upon his three chosen charities for his year in office.

The main focus will be Come On In, a project aimed at tackling social isolation among Worcester’s older people.

Forces Support, a charity that gives practical help and support to families of service personnel who have been killed or returned from a combat zone severely injured, has also been chosen to benefit.

Forces Support carries out work on families’ homes and gardens, and has a warehouse shop in Sherriff Street which accepts donations of furniture and house clearance items.

The third cause to benefit will be Worcester Cathedral's Charitable Fund.

Cllr Amos said: "I am sure everyone in Worcester will agree these are three very worthwhile causes.

"I will devote my year in office to working tirelessly to support these three schemes and to raise some of the vital funds that they need."

Cllr Amos became mayor after quitting the Labour Party last month to become an independent.

He voted with the Conservatives 48 hours later, putting the party back into power at the city council, with the Tories making him Mayor of Worcester on the same night.

Nearly 300 people have since signed a petition calling him to resign and quit his council seat in Warndon, which he won for Labour.