TWENTY years after becoming a city council, Marilyn Bowman has been sworn in as the new Mayor of Carlisle.

The long-serving Conservative, who has just been re-elected to represent Wetheral and Corby, had served as deputy to the outgoing Jessica Riddle.

Now she and husband Syd will take on the role of mayor and consort for the next 12 months.

The annual mayor making ceremony took place at the Civic Centre's council chamber yesterday.

It also saw Labour's Pamela Birks elected as deputy mayor, with husband Paul as consort.

Mrs Bowman and her husband are well known in the area, having ran the butcher's shop in Corby Hill for 24 years, retiring in 2001 after the devastating foot and mouth outbreak.

She joined Carlisle City Council in 1999, representing the Stanwix Rural ward until the recent boundary changes.

Following a year as deputy mayor, Mrs Bowman said she was delighted to become mayor.

"I'm looking forward to it. We've spent a year as deputy mayor and consort and thoroughly enjoyed that," she explained.

"The people you go to see have gone to so much effort to put on events, both big and small, and to me, it's an absolute pleasure to be a part of that."

Mrs Bowman was formerly proposed for the mayoral role by fellow Conservative Mike Mitchelson. He said: "In the 20 years she has been a councillor she has served on a wide range of committees, as well as portfolio holder for economy for nine years.

"She worked tirelessly in promoting Carlisle, seeking investment opportunities to grow the economy and encouraging tourists to visit - tasks which she carried out very successfully and I feel will stand her in good stead in her role as Mayor of Carlisle. Marilyn is a friend, a colleague and a well-respected councillor and will serve this city well."

Her proud children Simon and Rachel, along with several close friends, were special guests at the mayor making ceremony.

She has chosen three official charity to support during her term as mayor - Carlisle's Jigsaw children's hospice, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Cash For Kids.

The ceremony also saw councillors give thanks to outgoing mayor Mrs Riddle and her consort, daughter Fiona Riddle.

Mrs Riddle looked back on some of highlights of the last 12 months - in which she attended more than 200 engagements as mayor.

They included RAF Spadeadam receiving Freedom of the City, as well as Carlisle and England football legend Ivor Broadis, a few months before his death.

She also spoke of the poignant Remembrance ceremonies she had attended and the many multicultural events in the city - from Diwali to Polish celebrations.

"This is just a snapshot of the many engagements I have attended over the year.

"But it's not about numbers, it's about people - the people we meet, speak to, listen to, the children we see in schools and the many volunteers who organise these events. We have had an unforgettable year. I'm proud to live in such a multicultural city."