THE new mayor of Stourport has issued a "use it or lose it" plea to residents to stay loyal to the town's shops.

Labour councillor Don Giles, 71, a former Kidderminster College physics lecturer, said: "I'd like to see more people shopping in Stourport and using the facilities. If we don't, we'll lose them." new Stourport mayor Don Giles in his robes.

Mr Giles, of Malham Road, also highlighted the start of the restoration of the town's former Lichfield Basin as one of his hopes for the next 12 months.

Despite a year as deputy mayor under his belt he admitted he felt "a bit of trepidation" at the prospect of a year in the hotseat.

"I've never done it before but I'm looking forward to it. Vi Higgs, my experienced deputy mayor, is going to be a great help.

"On my four years on the town council all my predecessors have made it look easy. I have a lot to live up to."

Both the mayor and the mayoress - Mr Giles's 69-year-old wife Jean - are originally from London. They moved to Wyre Forest in 1969 after Kidderminster College requested Mr Giles, then living in Worcester, move within the catchment area as he was the careers adviser and welfare officer.

He finally retired from the college in 1994 after almost 30 years' teaching. Mr Giles, who has not yet named the two charities to benefit from the six or seven events he has planned, also serves as a governor at Burlish Park First School and Stourport High School.