NEW Stourport mayor Michael Grinnall reaped an unexpected benefit when he was last elected mayor in 1997.

And as he looks forward to his second stint as the town's civic leader, Mr Grinnall is hoping for a few more pleasant surprises as well as pushing for more police presence in Stourport.

The 63-year-old was put in touch with a cousin living in Canada who he had not seen for 40 years as a result of one of her relatives sending her cuttings of Mr Grinnall which had appeared in the Shuttle/Times & News.

Mr Grinnall, who remains patriotic of his Welsh roots despite living in Stourport since he was three, said: "Being mayor made that connection possible and hopefully there may be more instances like that for myself or me helping Stourport people."

The town and district councillor said he would do everything possible to help townsfolk in the year ahead, including asking for more town centre beat bobbies.

He added: "I know a lot of people around the town and would welcome them to approach me if they feel I can help.

"Nobody works miracles but I would be delighted to help or try and discover somebody else who may be of use to solving somebody's problems.

"On a personal level, I feel extra beat bobbies could make the town centre a safer place at night and I will tell this to the authorities."

During his last mayoral reign Mr Grinnall helped unearth the mystery of the missing mayor's hat.

The tricorn hat had gone missing in 1993 but to Mr Grinnall's delight he was eventually presented with a new hat by members of Stourport Yacht Club.

No decision has been made about which charities Mr Grinnall will support during his mayoral year.